Feeding may begin anywhere on the plant but rarely on the bottom leaves. Injury may start at the leaf edge or in the center of the leaf adjacent to the midrib. There is no pattern to the feeding. Very large populations consume all the leaf except for the tougher leaf midrib. Injury is similar to that caused by armyworms, but armyworms start feeding on the bottom leaves and progress up the plant.
Differential grasshopper is a common corn pest.
Grasshopper injury to corn leaves. Western corn rootworm Long, narrow, light gray strips eaten in leaves . Beetles eat long, narrow strips in leaves if tassels have not emerged and pollen is not available as food. Leaf feeding turns a light gray. Heavily eaten leaves may split and fray in the injured area.