‘It’s pretty detrimental’: Corn leafhoppers threaten Kansas corn

ARGONIA, Kan. (KSNW) – A small bug could create big problems for corn growers across Kansas.

Experts say they saw an unexpected and very rapid expansion of the corn leafhopper.

They don’t know for sure how they got here, but it is most likely weather-driven, and the insects are transported long distances by the wind.

Seth Tracy grows corn all across Kansas and sees the damage these insects cause.

“This is the first year I’ve seen it; I mean, it’s the first time it’s been around,” said Tracy.

“I got a couple of fields around Cheney and Harper that were affected by it. I mean, it’s pretty detrimental to yield,” said Tracy.

Cornfields under threat by corn leafhoppers with a proclivity for stunting corn growth.

“It infects the corn; it’s called ‘corn stunt.’ It shortens the plant up. I mean, dry land corn is usually 8 to 12 feet tall, and a lot of the stuff I was looking at was like 5-6 foot tall, and it affects the ear, the kernels, so yeah, pretty harmful,” said Tracy.

Experts say this insect is normally found in Central and South America.

Kansas State University Research and Extension Entomologist Anthony Zukoff says their coming to Kansas caught them off-guard.

“The arrival of the corn leafhopper in Kansas was extremely surprising,” said Zukoff.

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