The Monitora Milho SC Program identified a reduction of over 40% in the number of corn leafhoppers in the fields of Santa Catarina. The survey took place between January 19 and 26. The numbers were released today. The comparison considers the previous week. The state recorded an average of 55 insects per trap. The result coincides with crops in the harvesting phase and new plantings of the safrinha. According to researcher Maria Cristina Canale from Epagri/Cepaf, the initial management adopted by farmers contributed to the reduction of the insect population in the newly seeded areas. Despite the drop, the program maintains an alert. The analyses indicated high infectivity in the leafhoppers collected in all regions of the state. The pathogens of the enfezados and the maize viruses appeared in all samples. Maria Cristina recommends chemical management in the vegetative phase, especially when the plants have four or five leaves. The practice reduces and controls the population of ...