Kansas farmers face new threats to state's corn industry
MANHATTAN (KSNT) - Farmers in Kansas are sounding the alarm on a new double-threat targeting the state's corn producers that is making its first appearance in the Sunflower State.
Kansas State University issued a publication on Oct. 16 regarding the novel appearance of the corn leafhopper in the state. The university first reported the presence of the insect in August 2024 but it has since spread throughout the state.
Rodrigo Onofre, a plant pathologist with K-State, said the leafhoppers have been recorded in 26 counties in the state. The insects are also known to carry with them "a devastating pathogen" referred to as corn stunt spiroplasma.
“Corn stunt has been in the United States for a while – Texas, Louisiana, California, Florida,” Onofre said. “However, we have never seen this disease – or the corn leafhopper – this far north in states like Kansas, creating a twofold problem for producers.”
Farmers have recorded corn stunt now in different areas across the state. Positive cases have been reported from southwest counties like Seward and Grant all the way to the northeast corner of Kansas in Doniphan and Brown Counties.
“Late in the growing season, plants will go from green to red/purple in about 30 days after the infection happens,” Onofre said. “When you snap out an infected ear, you will see a sugar accumulation, and the plant is responding by turning purple.”
Farmers may see stunted growth in their corn crop due to infection from corn stunt. Onofre said the majority of late-planted and double-cropped fields have received most of the damage caused by this pathogen.
“Producers tell me they have lost several bushels per acre under severe disease conditions,” Onofre said. “Fields planted later in June in central Kansas are especially at risk of getting hit by this disease.”
Onofre said farmers can control the spread of corn stunt by first trying to mitigate the spread of corn leafhoppers in their fields. Fungicides have been found to be ineffective in controlling the spread of corn stunt.
The leafhoppers that carry corn stunt appear white in color and can be identified by dark spots between their eyes and a "V" shaped marking on their body. The insects typically appear when temperatures reach 80-90 degrees every two to three days.
“The adults can survive between 30-80 days, and the females can lay around 15 eggs per day and up to 600 eggs in their life cycle; they can reproduce fast,” Onofre said.
Onofre recommends treating leafhopper infestations with insecticides and by planting leafhopper-resistant corn varieties. He does caution though that controlling their spread is difficult due to their ability to reproduce quickly.
“When talking about an insect, management is difficult, so treatment thresholds are minimal,” Onofre said. “Right now, one leaf hopper spotted in a field requires treatment. A grower could have multiple insecticide applications within one season if this becomes an extreme problem.”
Farmers with questions about controlling corn stunt or corn leafhoppers can contact K-State Entomologist Anthony Zukoff at 620-275-9164 or send an email to azukoff@ksu.edu.
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