Description: Very long
necrotic lesions with wavy margins. Some lesions extending nearly the length of
the leaf on susceptible hybrids. The adult corn flea beetle carries the bacterium
over winter and transmits it to corn when feeding on corn leaves. Small thin feeding
scars are evidence of flea beetle injury. Sweet corn, popcorn, and inbreds may
show seedling wilt when attacked early, but most hybrid dent corn is more resistant
to this phase of the disease. All types of corn have the leaf blight phase. Location:
Stewart's leaf blight occurs throughout Ohio. Time of attack: Attack by
adult flea beetles and transmission of the bacterium occurs soon after seedling
emergence. Continued feeding by beetles throughout the summer increases the severity
of the disease. Management:
· Resistant hybrids
· Control flea beetle with foliar spray or seed treatment (see insect section
on flea beetle)
