Ninfa puts corn leafhopper management at risk

Integrated Pest Management is the main tool to combat the corn leafhopper, an insect vector of the Stunting Complex, which can reduce grain production in susceptible plants by more than 70%, according to Embrapa. Among the actions are the elimination of tiguera corn, seed treatment and the application of pesticides. However, the habits of the leafhopper nymphs make chemical control difficult and favor the explosion of infestation in crops.

The leafhopper has the capacity to lay approximately 14 eggs per day, and can lay more than 600 eggs during its 45 days of life. In addition to this large quantity, the pest has a specific technique to protect the eggs throughout the cycle.

“The leafhopper has the ability to detach the adaxial epidermis from the leaf (film or cuticle) and deposit the eggs directly in the parenchymatic cellular tissue, generally close to the central vein, covering the eggs again with this film. This way, it protects the eggs even from the pesticides that will be applied. This is known as endophytic oviposition”, comments Bayer’s maize crop specialist, Paulo Garollo (watch more in the video above).