Stewart's Wilt

Stewart's Wilt is a bacterial disease caused by the bacterium Pantoea stewartii affecting plants, particularly maize. Its primary vector is the corn flea beetle, (Chaetocnema pulicaria).

The bacterium lives in the gut of the beetle during the off season and is spread between plants when the beetle feeds on the seedlings. The bacterium can also be spread via the plant seed, but this is extremely rare and its incidence is insignificant compared to insect transmission.

The disease manifests in two phases: seedling wilt, when the growing point dies; and leaf blight, white lesions on the leaves of older plants. Sweet corn is more susceptible than field corn.