Maize-pest
Guides
Dalbulus
corn leafhoppers
Dalbulus is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, tribe Macrostelini. The genus comprises approximately 11 species, with 10 species occurring in Mexico. Several species, particularly D. maidis (corn leafhopper) and D. elimatus (Mexican corn leafhopper), are economically significant agricultural pests. These species are highly efficient vectors of maize stunting pathogens including Spiroplasma kunkelii (corn stunt spiroplasma), maize bushy stunt phytoplasma, and maize rayado fino virus. The genus exhibits a spectrum of host plant specialization, with species ranging from maize specialists (D. maidis, D. elimatus) to gamagrass specialists (D. tripsacoides, D. quinquenotatus, D. guzmani) and generalists that utilize both host types.
Dalbulus elimatus
Mexican corn leafhopper
Dalbulus elimatus (Ball, 1900), the Mexican corn leafhopper, is a specialist herbivore of maize (Zea mays) and closely related grasses in the genus Tripsacum. It is a significant agricultural pest in Mexico and Central America, transmitting three major corn stunting pathogens: corn stunt spiroplasma (Spiroplasma kunkelii), maize bushy stunt phytoplasma, and maize rayado fino virus. The species exhibits r-selected life history traits characteristic of annual plant specialists, with rapid development (approximately 27 days egg to adult on maize) and high fecundity. It serves as host for multiple parasitoid species including the pipunculid fly Eudorylas subopacus and the dryinid wasp Gonatopus bartletti, which parasitize adults, as well as several mymarid and trichogrammatid wasps that attack eggs.
Delphacodes
delphacid planthoppers
Delphacodes is a large genus of delphacid planthoppers comprising over 230 described species with worldwide distribution. Species in this genus are phloem-feeding herbivores primarily associated with grasses and cereal crops. Several species are economically significant as vectors of plant viruses affecting maize, wheat, and other gramineae, including Mal de Río Cuarto virus and maize rough dwarf virus. The genus exhibits wing dimorphism, with both brachypterous (short-winged) and macropterous (long-winged) forms occurring within populations.
Elachiptera
frit flies
Elachiptera is a genus of small frit flies in the family Chloropidae, subfamily Oscinellinae. The genus contains approximately 81 valid species distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia, with some species extending into the Oriental Region. Several species are known agricultural pests of cereal crops, with larvae feeding internally within stems of wheat and maize. The genus includes both fully winged and wingless (brachypterous) species.
Elasmopalpus
lesser cornstalk borer (for E. lignosellus)
Elasmopalpus is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae, described by Émile Blanchard in 1852. The genus is restricted to the Americas and currently comprises three species. The type species E. angustellus was described with the genus, while E. corrientellus was added in 1888 and E. lignosellus in 1848. The genus is considered closely related to Ufa. The most well-known species, E. lignosellus (lesser cornstalk borer), is a significant agricultural pest of Poaceae and Fabaceae crops throughout the Americas.
Eudorylas
big-headed flies
Eudorylas is a genus of big-headed flies in the family Pipunculidae, characterized by their enlarged compound eyes and parasitoid life history. Species in this genus are known to parasitize leafhoppers (Cicadellidae), including agricultural pests such as Dalbulus maidis and D. elimatus that vector corn stunting pathogens. The genus has a global distribution across multiple biogeographic regions and contains over 400 described species. Taxonomic revisions rely heavily on male genitalia morphology and DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial COI gene.
Euxesta nitidiventris
Euxesta nitidiventris is a species of picture-winged fly in the family Ulidiidae, first described by Hermann Loew in 1873. The species is recognized as a pest of maize, with larvae causing damage to corn crops. It belongs to a genus containing multiple agricultural pest species.
Euxesta stigmatias
Cornsilk fly, Maize silk fly
Euxesta stigmatias is a picture-winged fly (family Ulidiidae) known as the cornsilk fly, a significant agricultural pest of maize in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. The species has established invasive populations in North America, including Florida and Hawaii. Larvae develop inside corn ears, feeding on silk and kernels, where they are protected from insecticide applications by the surrounding plant tissue. The species exhibits a normally saprophytic lifestyle but becomes destructive when corn is available.
Graminella
Graminella is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, comprising at least 30 described species. The genus is best known through extensive research on Graminella nigrifrons (black-faced leafhopper), a significant agricultural pest and plant virus vector in North American maize systems. Members of this genus feed on grasses and grass-family crops, with documented vectoring capacity for multiple economically important plant pathogens including corn stunt spiroplasma, maize chlorotic dwarf virus, and maize fine streak virus.
Hortensia
Hortensia is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Cicadellinae, and tribe Cicadellini. The genus was established by Metcalf and Bruner in 1936. Species in this genus are distributed primarily in the Neotropical region, with records from South America including Argentina. Some species, such as Hortensia similis, are associated with agricultural crops including maize and have been studied as vectors of plant diseases.
Hortensia similis
Common Green Leafhopper
Hortensia similis is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, originally described as Tettigonia similis by Walker in 1851. It is commonly known as the Common Green Leafhopper and has a wide distribution across the Americas, from the southwestern United States through Central America to South America. The species has been documented in California, Arizona, the British Virgin Islands, and several South American locations including Amazonas and Bahia. It is an agricultural pest associated with maize cultivation in parts of its range, where it serves as a host for various egg parasitoid wasps.
Liriomyza blechi
Liriomyza blechi is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Spencer in 1973. The species belongs to a group of 27 closely related taxa primarily distributed in the Neotropics, with some extending into temperate North and South America. It is a polyphagous pest known from diverse host plants including maize, various grasses, and dicots in the order Lamiales. Larvae create whitish linear mines in leaves, reducing photosynthetic capacity. The species has been recorded from the United States, Caribbean islands, and Brazil, with expanding documentation of its agricultural impact.
Macrodactylus
rose chafers, American rose chafers
Macrodactylus is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as rose chafers or American rose chafers. The genus contains at least 110 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. Adults are typically associated with vegetation, and some species are documented agricultural pests of crops such as maize. Larval stages are soil-dwelling and develop in association with organic matter or host plant roots.
Metrioidea brunnea
Corn Silk Beetle
Metrioidea brunnea, commonly known as the corn silk beetle, is a skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is native to North America and feeds on corn silk and foliage. The species is recognized as a minor agricultural pest of maize. Limited detailed biological information is available for this species.
Pagiocerus frontalis
Pagiocerus frontalis is an invasive bark beetle in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Scolytinae, native to Central and South America. First detected in Africa in December 2018 in Arusha, Tanzania, it has emerged as a significant pest of stored maize and avocado seeds. The beetle bores into grains, producing powdery frass and exit holes, and can perforate woven polypropylene storage bags. Laboratory studies in Tanzania demonstrated substantial damage across 27 maize varieties, with grain damage ranging from 42.5% to 92.5%. Its invasion pattern and damage potential resemble those of the larger grain borer (Prostephanus truncatus), which caused severe losses following its introduction to Africa.
Peregrinus maidis
corn planthopper, corn delphacid, sorghum shoot bug, shoot bug
Peregrinus maidis is a small planthopper in the family Delphacidae, widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It is a significant agricultural pest of maize, sorghum, and sugarcane, causing direct damage through phloem feeding and acting as a vector for several important plant viruses including maize mosaic virus and maize stripe virus. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in size, with females larger than males, and displays wing dimorphism with brachypterous (short-winged) and macropterous (long-winged) forms that develop in response to environmental conditions.
Prostephanus truncatus
Larger Grain Borer, Greater Grain Borer
Prostephanus truncatus, commonly known as the larger grain borer or greater grain borer, is a highly destructive beetle in the family Bostrichidae. Native to Mexico and Central America where it evolved as a wood-boring insect, it adapted to become a major pest of stored maize. The species was accidentally introduced to Tanzania, Africa in the late 1970s and subsequently spread throughout sub-Saharan Africa, where it additionally adapted to cassava as an alternate host. Populations can destroy up to 40% of stored maize in three months and cause estimated losses of 52-74% of stored cassava. Climate modeling indicates potential for further range expansion into the southern United States, South America, and tropical Asia.
Rhopalosiphum maidis
Corn Leaf Aphid, Corn Aphid
Rhopalosiphum maidis is a globally distributed aphid species and the most economically damaging aphid pest of maize (Zea mays), particularly in tropical and warmer temperate regions. It feeds on phloem sap and causes direct damage through photoassimilate removal. Dense populations can deposit large amounts of honeydew on maize tassels, preventing pollen shed and reducing yield by up to 90%. The species transmits several destructive plant viruses including Maize yellow dwarf virus, Barley yellow dwarf virus, Sugarcane mosaic virus, and Cucumber mosaic virus. Most populations reproduce parthenogenetically (anholocyclic), though sexual reproduction has been reported in Pakistan and Korea with Prunus species as primary hosts.
Sphenophorus maidis
Maize Billbug
Sphenophorus maidis, commonly known as the maize billbug, is a weevil species in the family Curculionidae. It is found in North America and is associated with maize (corn) as a host plant. The species belongs to a genus of billbugs that are significant agricultural pests, with larvae that bore into plant stems and roots causing substantial damage to crops.
Spodoptera frugiperda
Fall Armyworm, Fall Armyworm Moth
Spodoptera frugiperda, commonly known as the fall armyworm, is a migratory moth species native to the Americas that has become a devastating invasive pest across Africa and Asia. The larvae are polyphagous, feeding on more than 80 plant species including maize, sorghum, cotton, and soybean. Economic damage from this species has been severe, with estimated losses of $2.5–6.3 billion annually in affected African countries. The species cannot overwinter in temperate regions, reinvading northern areas annually through long-distance migration.
Tanymecus
Tanymecus is a genus of broad-nosed weevils (Curculionidae) comprising at least 100 described species. The genus was established by Germar in 1817 and is classified in the subfamily Entiminae, tribe Tanymecini. Some species, such as Tanymecus dilaticollis, are recognized agricultural pests.
Teretriosoma
clown beetles
Teretriosoma is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae, established by Horn in 1873. The genus comprises approximately 11 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. One species, Teretriosoma nigrescens, has been extensively studied as a biological control agent against the larger grain borer Prostephanus truncatus, a major pest of stored maize and cassava in Africa and Latin America. Members of this genus are small predatory beetles associated with decomposing organic matter and stored products.
Teretrius
clown beetles
Teretrius is a genus of clown beetles (family Histeridae) comprising at least 70 described species. The genus has gained significant attention due to the use of Teretrius nigrescens as a classical biological control agent against the invasive larger grain borer Prostephanus truncatus in Africa. Members of this genus are small predatory beetles associated with stored products and woodland habitats. The genus was established by Erichson in 1834 and is classified within the subfamily Abraeinae.