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The corn leafhopper is reemerging as a significant pest in Texas, Oklahoma and eastern New Mexico. It is impacting corn yields and quality.

Dr. David Kerns from Texas A&M AgriLife said farmers should familiarize themselves with the insect and adopt management strategies to prevent issues next season. Originally, corn leafhoppers were reported as far north as Ohio in 1981. They reappeared in South Texas in 2016 and have now spread across much of the Midwest and Southern U.S.

These insects produce honeydew, a sugar-like substance which encourages sooty mold growth and hinders photosynthesis. The main concern is the insects transmitting red stunt disease. It causes symptoms like yellowed leaves, poor pollination, stunted growth and deformed ears. Winter temperatures can help control leafhopper populations. In warmer areas, volunteer corn may sustain them.

Recommended management includes planting resistant hybrids, controlling volunteer corn, planting early to avoid infestation and using insecticides during critical growth stages.

Read more on the re-emergence of the corn leafhopper here.