Leafhoppers
Leafhoppers are small slender insects that disperse rapidly when disturbed. They run sideways and are
good jumpers. They are wedge shaped, less than 0.25 inch long as adults, and generally are varying shades
of green, yellow, or brown, and often mottled.
Identification of species | Life cycle
Damage
Leafhoppers can cause white stippling, tip burn, or drying of leaves. Black spots of excrement and cast
skins may be present. Some species cause a diamond-shape yellowing from the leaf tip. Damage is usually
not serious enough for control. Leafhoppers may transmit curly top and aster yellows viruses to some vegetables.
Solutions
Because of their mobility, leafhoppers are difficult to control. Fortunately control is rarely needed.
General predators may have some impact. Remove alternate hosts to reduce populations that could otherwise
later migrate into the crop. Insecticidal
soap or other insecticides applied when nymphs are small may
be used if necessary to reduce populations but will not reduce virus transmission significantly.
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An adult leafhopper
White
speckled markings left by leafhoppers
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