The K-State Extension Bookstore releases a new publication on corn leafhopper authored by J.P. Michaud, Extension Entomologist. Identifying corn leafhoppers and understanding their life cycle can help prevent corn stunt disease and protect crop yields. Learn more about this pest in this new publication.
The corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is native to tropical and subtropical Central and South America. Although it damages corn directly by removal of plant sap, most economic losses are caused by transmission of various plant diseases, including maize bushy stunt phytoplasma, fine streak virus (maize rayado fino virus, or MRFV), and the causal agent of corn stunt, Spiroplasma kunkelii, which may be the most important factor limiting corn production in Central and South America. Recent outbreaks of corn leafhopper in Argentina have resulted in up to 12% of the corn crop being lost to corn stunt, with yield losses estimated at 500 pounds of grain per acre.
To read the full publication, visit the K-State Extension Bookstore.