The corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis, was found in Virginia and North Carolina in 2026. This is an invasive insect species that was first identified in the US in Texas and Oklahoma in 2024. They can cause direct injury to corn, but the primary concern is the transmission of pathogens which cause corn stunt disease. Throughout this season (2026) we monitored for this pest using sticky card traps placed next to corn fields on the Tidewater AREC in Suffolk, VA. These sticky traps were sent to experts in Oklahoma for identification and to test any identified insects for the presence of pathogens. A total of six corn leafhoppers were identified on stick cards from Virginia in 2026, beginning in late May, but all tested negative for the corn stunt disease pathogens. The following article for Dominic Reisig at NCSU provides additional information on what the identification of this insect means for Virginia corn production;
These detections do not necessarily indicate that we will have major issues with this insect in 2027. It does however mean that growers should monitor for signs of corn stunt disease and insects moving forward. The earlier it arrives in a corn field, the greater potential it will have to cause economic loss. We will continue monitoring in 2027 and provide updates.
Some additional resources are linked below