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Pests and diseases occur in the middle and late stages of maize
**Agricultural Resources News (Reporter Wang Zhaoyong)**
Recently, the National Agricultural Technology Center's Pest and Disease Forecasting Office released a report based on assessments from major corn-producing provinces, including autonomous regions and municipalities, as well as industry experts. They have predicted that the occurrence of pests and diseases in corn this year will be more severe than usual during the middle and late stages, with some areas experiencing higher damage than the previous year. However, disease outbreaks are expected to be less intense compared to the prior year.
From late July to the end of August, it is expected to be the peak period for various pests and diseases affecting corn crops. According to the report, early-stage pests such as corn borers, second-generation armyworms, underground pests, thrips, and diseases like rough spot and sheath blight are expected to occur at moderate levels, slightly worse than last year. The affected area is estimated to be around 330 million mu, with 300 million mu affected by pests and 30 million mu impacted by diseases.
In the middle and late stages of the growing season, the main threats include stalk borer, leaf-feeding insects, sucking pests, and leaf diseases. Among these, the third generation of armyworms poses a high risk of recurrence. Corn borers, large and small spot diseases are also widespread and harmful. Other pests such as cotton bollworms, leafhoppers, aphids, double-spotted beetles, and diseases like brown spot, Curvularia leaf spot, head smut, and stem rot are also causing damage in certain regions.
The country expects approximately 9.2 million mu affected by pests and 3 million mu impacted by diseases in the later stages of the corn season. Specific regional impacts include the first generation of corn borers in Heilongjiang and central-western regions, while the second generation appears in Liaoning, Hubei, Hunan, Chongqing, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Shandong, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Xinjiang, and other parts of North China and the Southwest. The third generation of corn borers is expected to be more prevalent in the Huanghuaihai region.
Leaf-feeding pests, such as the third-generation armyworms, are spreading across the Northeast and North China, with occurrences also reported in the Huanghuai, Southwest, and Northwest. The double-spotted leaf beetle is particularly problematic in Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Shanxi, and Shaanxi. Sucking pests like aphids and spider mites are present in Ningxia and most of the Northeast, North China, Huanghuai, Southwest, and Northwest regions.
Regarding diseases, large spot disease is common in the Northeast and northern parts of North China, while small spot disease is prevalent in the Huanghuai and most of the Southwest. Brown spot disease has shown an upward trend in recent years, with heavier infestations expected in the Huanghuai region. Gray spot disease is widespread in the Southwest and occurs in the Northeast as well. Additional diseases like head smut, Curvularia leaf spot, sheath blight, and stem rot can cause localized damage.
Farmers are advised to monitor their fields closely and implement timely pest control measures to minimize crop losses. The forecast highlights the importance of proactive agricultural management in response to the anticipated challenges this season.