If you need a trait that provides rootworm control, there are several available. From Bayer, your choices are SmartStax, SmartStax PRO, and VT4 PRO. From Corteva, Vorceed Enlist is the one I’d consider. From Syngenta, Duracade and Duracade Viptera are available for this upcoming growing season. All of these have Bt’s to control corn rootworm. Most of them have multiple Bt’s to overcome insect resistance issues. All of these can work on your farm. However, the ones that are standing out with the best rootworm control fall into the next category.

I didn’t realize how big a difference the RNA interference (RNAi) would make in terms of rootworm control. It’s been huge! ALSO, THERE IS NO KNOWN RESISTANCE TO RNAI. Like the Bt’s, though, insects still need to take a bite out of the roots to be controlled. For that reason, with any of the rootworm-traited corns, we still recommend adding insecticide at planting time to reduce root feeding if you have moderate to heavy pressure from corn rootworms in your fields.

If corn rootworm isn’t a major concern for you or if you are using insecticide and don’t need additional control from a corn trait, you may still need protection from aboveground insects. Over the years, this has primarily meant control of European corn borers. Historically, VT Double PRO from Bayer, AcreMax from Corteva, and Agrisure Above from Syngenta have been the solutions for European corn borers. PowerCore Enlist falls into that category, as well. However, there are additional insects controlled by some traits and not others. For example, western bean cutworms, black cutworms, true armyworms, corn earworm, and stalk borers are other insects that could determine your corn trait choice, so if you are concerned about any of these other pests, make sure your trait will stop them. That’s where this next option comes in.

The Viptera gene controls a wide variety of aboveground insects and is available either by itself in Syngenta’s Viptera trait or in combination with other traits such as Duracade Viptera from Syngenta; Trecepta or VT4 PRO from Bayer; or AcreMax Leptra from Corteva. Adding Viptera broadens your insect control spectrum beyond other aboveground traits (that are mainly known for controlling European corn borers) by adding control of corn earworm, fall armyworm, western bean cutworm, black cutworm, and several other armyworms and borers. Personally, if I’m going with just aboveground Bt protection in my corn, I pick one of these traits. THIS HARVEST SEASON, I SAW MORE EAR-FEEDING INSECTS THAN I’VE SEEN IN YEARS, AND VIPTERA WOULD STOP NEARLY ALL OF THEM.

Finally, if you’re using corn traits, you must be aware of which herbicides can be safely used in-crop. All of the major traits I’m aware of have tolerance to Roundup, but double-check yours to make sure. Some traits have tolerance to Liberty and others do not. Any trait that has “Enlist” in the name is tolerant to 2,4-D (Enlist One), as well as the “-FOP” chemistry like Assure II (quizaloFOP).

Notable corn traits NOT tolerant to Liberty include: Trecepta, VT Double PRO, and VT4 PRO.

For more information on all corn traits in the U.S. market, please visit the Handy Bt Trait Table for 2025