ALTERNATIVAS PARA O CONTROLE DA CIGARRINHA DO MILHO (Dalbulus maidis)

Abstract

Corn is a crop widely produced in Brazil, as it is a raw material for food and biofuel, its demand is worldwide. In this sense, the grain has been widely produced and, in the country, it can be produced throughout the year. As a result, some pests have caused high levels of damage to this crop, generating a reduction in productivity. One of them is the leafhopper, which is a vector of phytoplasmas, resulting in symptoms such as yellowing of the leaf area, reduction in plant size and deformity, known as stunting. The objective of this work was to review the available literature about this insect, its behavior, damage to plants, and available control strategies. The leafhopper is a sucking insect, which can transmit pathogens during feeding, such as phytoplasmas, which cause red, pale stunting and the stripe virus, which directly affects the host's phloem, interfering with the transport of nutrients and water. , decreasing productivity. Based on the reviewed works, it was observed that pest monitoring, cultural control, biological control aligned with edaphoclimatic conditions, use of resistant or tolerant varieties and chemical interventions during the productivity definition stages, and mainly before reaching the damage level of the pest, has been more effective in controlling it.