Illinois farmers may be in the thick of harvest right now, but Mike Gray says it's not too soon to begin evaluating the value of corn rootworm inputs for 2015 and their potential value for the 2016 growing season.

Gray, a University of Illinois professor and Extension entomologist, says earlier this month, the Plant Management Network posted a new webcast titled "Estimation of Efficacy Functions for Products Used to Manage Corn Rootworm Larval Injury."

The webcast was created by Nick Tinsley at the University of Illinois Department of Crop Sciences.

Western corn rootworm larva. (Purdue University extension photo)

The foundation for this webcast was field research conducted over many years and published by scientists from the University of Nebraska, University of Wisconsin, and the University of Illinois.

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During the webcast, Tinsley takes viewers through a logical step-by-step process in assessing the potential value of inputs (insecticidal seed treatments, planting-time soil insecticides and Bt hybrids) designed to limit economic losses caused by corn rootworm larval damage.

"I encourage anyone who is ready to begin making these decisions for 2016 to view this short webcast. It could be time very well spent," Gray advises.