FFA Agronomy CDE Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Guide

The Western corn rootworm beetle is notable for its complete life cycle, which includes egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. This life cycle allows the Western corn rootworm to effectively cause damage to both the vegetative parts of maize plants and their flowers. The larvae primarily feed on the roots, leading to significant root damage that can result in reduced nutrient and water uptake, while the adults can damage the flowers and contribute to overall plant stress.

In comparison, other insect choices have different life cycles and damage patterns. For example, wireworms have a prolonged larval phase often associated with root damage, but they do not affect flowers. Stinkbugs primarily suck sap from plant tissues and can damage flowers, but they have an incomplete life cycle and may not have as severe an impact on root systems. White grubs, the larval form of several beetles, also primarily damage roots but do not feed on flowers. Each of these insects has specific roles and impacts, making the Western corn rootworm beetle particularly significant for its dual capacity to damage both the roots and flowers of crops.