New England, widely recognized for commodities like maple syrup, wild blueberries, and cranberries, is also a significant producer of sweet corn. According to the 2023-24 U.S. Department of Agriculture report, the region produced nearly 3 million tons of corn, with Vermont contributing half and Maine producing 500,000 tons. However, corn growers may face new challenges as climate change impacts pest populations.
A study from the University of Maine suggests that warming temperatures and milder winters could increase the prevalence of the corn flea beetle, a pest already present in the region. The beetle, common in the Corn Belt of the north-central Midwest, damages plant foliage and spreads Stewart's Wilt, a disease that threatens crop productivity. As winters become less severe, the beetle is expected to survive in greater numbers, leading to more significant crop damage.
Led by Rachel Schattman, an assistant professor of sustainable agriculture at UMaine, and Scott Merrill, a systems ecologist at the University of Vermont, the study integrated temperature projections into existing agricultural models. Using PRISM data from Oregon State University, the researchers examined three time periods—1980-2011, 2049-2059, and 2089-2099. Their findings indicate that the corn flea beetle and Stewart's Wilt will likely spread across the Northeast, posing a growing threat to corn production.
Farmers currently rely on pesticides to manage corn flea beetle infestations, but regulatory changes could make certain pesticides less accessible. Schattman explained that broad-spectrum pesticides, such as neonicotinoids, help farmers control pests efficiently, yet states are beginning to regulate or ban them due to concerns about their effects on native insects and other wildlife. While restrictions on neonics may benefit the environment, they could leave farmers with fewer effective pest control options, increasing vulnerability to infestations.
Another potential solution is developing corn varieties resistant to Stewart's Wilt. However, research into disease-resistant strains largely halted when pesticides became the more affordable and accessible management strategy. Schattman noted that breeding resistant varieties require significant investment, and farmers must advocate for research in this area. Without new genetic solutions, tighter pesticide regulations could leave corn growers with limited ways to protect their crops.
Having farmed for a decade, Schattman understands the difficulties growers face. "Farming is very vulnerable to everything that happens in the weather—early frost, big storms, big rainfall, everything that can potentially tank your crop," she said. Each year, farmers must weigh economic, ecological, social, and cultural factors when making decisions about their operations.
The study, which also received guidance from agroecologist Bill Tracy of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, highlights the need for proactive solutions in the face of climate change. With pest pressures expected to rise, the agriculture industry may need to reconsider both pest management strategies and crop resilience efforts.
For more information:
Ashley Yate
University of Maine
Tel: +1 207 581 3743
Email: ashley.depew@maine.edu
www.umaine.edu