Climate Change Fuels Leafhopper Plague, Devastating Argentina’s Corn Crop

Argentina, a global leader in corn exports, is facing a major agricultural crisis as rising temperatures bring a devastating plague of leafhoppers. These tiny yellow insects, which thrive in warmer weather, transmit a disease that stunts corn development, slashing yields by millions of tons.

Farmers are deeply concerned that such infestations will become the new normal due to fewer frosts and rising temperatures. This year’s unusual outbreak has already caused some farmers to shift away from corn towards other crops like soy, which is less vulnerable to leafhoppers.

“You normally found leafhoppers if you looked, but this year you see huge clouds of them,” said Anibal Cordoba, a farmer in Chaco province. “Many are going to reduce their hectares of corn to zero.”

Agricultural and climate experts link the plague to rising temperatures both globally and in Argentina. “The number of days with frost is becoming less frequent,” explained Matilde Rusticucci, climate change specialist at the University of Buenos Aires. “Minimum temperatures in the country have increased steadily.”

The year 2023 has been declared the warmest in recorded history, contributing to the spread of leafhoppers into regions previously protected by colder temperatures. Analysts predict further losses to Argentina’s corn production, now estimated at a shocking 10 million tons.

Scientists have documented a steady decline in the average number of cold nights across Argentina. This trend, directly linked to climate change, allows leafhoppers to flourish.

“One of the most important causes of the big increase in (insect) numbers was the decrease in the number of frosts,” explained Fernando Flores, an entomologist with Argentina’s National Institute of Agricultural Technology.

The impact on the country’s major corn-growing region in Cordoba province is staggering, with losses estimated over $1 billion dollars.

While farmers in warmer countries like Brazil have adapted to leafhoppers, Argentina faces an uphill battle. Michael Cordonnier, an agronomist with Soybean and Corn Advisor Inc., highlights the urgent need to develop disease-resistant corn hybrids and register more insecticides to combat the problem.