In Iowa, the species of corn rootworm (CRW) that are of economic importance include western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) and northern corn rootworm (D. barberi Smith and Lawrence), and these two species are the most damaging pests of corn, Zea mays, in the United States Corn Belt. Over the last two decades, Bt corn varieties have been made commercially available to protect corn from these pests. 

The goal of this research program is to serve the agricultural community of Iowa by monitoring and evaluating the performance of registered and precommercial insecticides and transgenic corn hybrids. To achieve this goal, we maintain a viable, proactive, progressive and scientifically sound product evaluation program.