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K-State entomologist says corn leafhoppers could present a challenge for growers

A Kansas State University entomologist says recent scouting efforts have confirmed the prevalence of corn leafhoppers in Kansas.

Anthony Zucoff tells Brownfield the insect can spread corn stunt disease.

“It’s important to know that the leafhoppers themselves need to feed on an infected plants to begin with, in order to uptake the pathogens and then transmit them to other plants,” he says.

He says the insect can also damage the plant without spreading the disease.

“Younger plants that are fed upon and infected are more likely to exhibit the most serious symptoms, which will lead to yield losses,” he says. “The fact that most of the corn in our region was late enough in maturity, they likely did not have a major impact like they could have if it showed up earlier in the season.”

Zucoff says it’s unknown if corn leafhoppers are capable of overwinter.

“If they can overwinter, they might not be able to do it very well,” he says.

Additional research is needed to determine the presence of other pathogens vectored by the insect.

The corn leafhopper is an annual issue in Mexico and South America but is rarely seen in the U.S. outside of southern California, Florida and Texas.

Photo: Images of a corn leafhopper A) adult on a corn leaf and magnified view of the two, black spots between the eyes; and B) nymph showing dark brown coloration and developing wing pads. Photo courtesy of Brian McCornack, K-State Research and Extension.