Preventive Control

Natural enemies

Parasitoids

1. Trichogramma

Predators

1. Ground beetle
2. Spider

Management and cultural practices

1. Plant at the beginning of the rainy season to avoid seedling flies during seedling emergence. This is applicable to areas where there are 2 distinct seasons: wet and dry.
2. Avoid planting during the peak of seedling maggot population. Inspect the neighboring fields planted 1 week ahead of manifestation of damaged leaves and deadheart.
3. Inspect seedlings thoroughly after emergence. Damage begins during crop emergence. During heavy infestation replanting the area is deemed necessary.