Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) is casued by co-infection of maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV genus; Machlorovirus transmitted by Chrysomelid beettle vectors, and Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV, genus Potyvirus or Wheat Streak Mosaic virus (WSMV genus- Tritimovirus. Symptoms of the individual viruses are synergistically enhanced in MLN and may include leaf mottling and necrosis, distortion of ears, absence of kernels, failure to produce tassels, as well as stunting, premature aging, and death of plants. Symptoms may disappear during the growing season leaving plants with latent infections but reduced yield as virus reservoirs and making disease monitoring difficult.