Corn is a widely cultivated crop globally, serving as a significant food source within many ecosystems. Its widespread availability and nutritional composition make it an appealing dietary component for a diverse array of animal species. Understanding which animals consume corn provides insight into ecological interactions and agricultural considerations.
Mammalian Corn Eaters
Numerous mammalian species consume corn, often drawn to agricultural fields or spilled grains. White-tailed deer graze on corn plants, especially during silking and ripening, consuming both leaves and kernels. Raccoons are notorious for raiding cornfields, climbing stalks to access and eat the ears, particularly sweet corn. Squirrels, primarily nut and seed eaters, opportunistically consume corn kernels, often damaging ears.
Mice and rats, common agricultural rodents, feed on corn kernels, especially high-energy varieties. Wild boars forage for corn in cultivated fields, consuming ears and sometimes trampling plants due to their size. Bears, in regions where corn is grown, may also visit fields to feed on the crop.
Birds That Consume Corn
Many bird species incorporate corn into their diets, accessing it from fields, feeders, or spilled sources. Crows and blackbirds, including red-winged blackbirds and grackles, frequently peck at ripening corn kernels, causing substantial damage. Larger birds like jays, ducks, geese, and cranes consume whole corn kernels.
Ground-feeding birds such as doves, pheasants, quails, and native sparrows often consume cracked corn or kernels found on the ground. Wild turkeys also feed on corn. Birds may take corn directly off the cob, though squirrels often reach it first.
Insects and Other Small Creatures
A variety of insects and other small invertebrates feed on corn plants, often targeting specific parts. The corn earworm consumes developing kernels, leading to significant crop damage. European corn borers tunnel into stalks, weakening the plant and making it susceptible to breakage. Rootworms, specifically their larvae, attack root systems, impacting plant stability and nutrient uptake.
Other beetles, such as sap beetles, feed on pollen and within corn borer tunnels. Wireworms, larvae of click beetles, feed on corn kernels and roots, potentially causing poor germination and stunted growth. Various cutworms and armyworms also feed on corn leaves and stalks, sometimes causing widespread defoliation.
Why Animals Seek Out Corn
Animals are attracted to corn due to its nutritional composition and widespread availability. Corn is rich in carbohydrates, providing a high caloric content that serves as an efficient energy source for many species. This energy density supports their metabolic needs, growth, and survival, especially for animals needing to gain weight or sustain high activity levels.
Ease of access, particularly in agricultural settings, also makes corn an opportunistic food source. Fields offer a concentrated and readily available supply, attracting wildlife seeking sustenance. For many animals, corn supplements their natural diet, offering a consistent and palatable option when other food sources are scarce or require more effort.
Impacts of Corn Consumption by Wildlife
Wildlife consumption of corn can lead to several implications, particularly for agricultural producers. Crop loss due to feeding by deer, raccoons, and birds results in significant economic damage to farmers. Raccoons, for instance, are responsible for a substantial portion of observed corn damage in some regions. This damage can occur at various stages of the corn plant’s development, from young shoots to mature ears.
Beyond direct crop destruction, animal activity in cornfields can also facilitate the spread of plant diseases or create entry points for secondary infections. While less common, close proximity of wildlife to livestock, especially where corn is used as feed, raises concerns about potential disease transmission. Additionally, corn consumption can influence wildlife populations, sometimes leading to an increase in species that adapt to this readily available food source.