UC IPM Online UC ANR home page UC IPM home page

UC IPM Home

Search

SKIP navigation
How to Manage Pests

Home & garden
Agriculture
Natural environments
Exotic & invasive

Weather data & products
Degree-days
Interactive tools & models

Identification Galleries

Natural enemies
Weeds

Educational Resources

Publications & more
Workshops and events
Training programs
Pesticide information

Research and IPM

Grants programs
Funded-project results

 
  Printer-friendly version

How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

| More pests | More crops | About guidelines |

Adult female leafhopper, subfamily Deltocephalinae.

Turfgrass

Leafhoppers

Scientific Names: Draeculacephala minerva, Deltacephalus sonorus, and others

(Reviewed 9/09, updated 9/09)

In this Guideline:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PESTS

Adults are 0.12 to 0.25 inch long, wedge-shaped, active insects that jump and fly short distances when disturbed. Colors vary by species and are often mottled or speckled with whitish green, yellow, and brownish gray. Adults insert eggs into turfgrass leaves. Nymphs lack wings; their color varies with species. Disturbed nymphs have a characteristic habit of moving sideways or backwards. Generation time varies from 12 to 30 days, depending on species and temperature.

SUSCEPTIBLE SPECIES

All grasses can be affected by leafhopper feeding.

DAMAGE

Although leafhopper sightings are not uncommon on golf courses and lawns, severe injury usually occurs only with large leafhopper populations. Both nymphs and adults suck sap from the leaves, resulting in yellowing or bleaching. Affected turfgrass lose vigor and may die as a result of extended presence of high populations.

MANAGEMENT

Generally treatment for leafhoppers is not needed. Treat only if populations are high enough that damage is intolerable.

Common name Amount/1000 sq ft** Ag Use
R.E.I.+		 NonAg Use
R.E.I.+
(trade name)   (hours) (hours)
The following materials are listed in approximate order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy and impact on natural enemies and the environment. Not all registered materials are listed. Not all registered pesticides are listed. Always read label of product being used.
 
A. ACEPHATE
  (Orthene Turf, Tree, and 1 oz 24 until dry
  Ornamental Spray)
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1B
  COMMENTS: For use on sod farms and golf courses only. Odorous.
 
B. CARBARYL*
  (Sevin) 80WSP 1.5–3 oz 12 until dry
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1A
 
** Apply in 25 gal water/1000 sq ft.
* Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
1 Rotate chemicals with a different mode-of-action Group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action Group number more than twice per season to help prevent the development of resistance. For example, the organophosphates have a Group number of 1B; chemicals with a 1B Group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a Group number other than 1B. Mode of action Group numbers are assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For additional information, see their Web site at http://www.irac-online.org/.
+ Restricted entry interval (R.E.I.) is the number of hours (unless otherwise noted) from treatment until the treated area can be safely entered without protective clothing. Agricultural use applies to sod farms and commercial seed production.

[Precautions]

PUBLICATION

[UC Peer Reviewed]

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Turfgrass
UC ANR Publication 3365-T
Insects and Mites
M. L. Flint, UC IPM Program, UC Davis
M. A. Harivandi, UC Cooperative Extension, Alameda County
H. K. Kaya, Nematology, UC Davis
Acknowledgment for contributions to Insect and Mites:
J. Hartin, UC Cooperative Extension, San Bernardino County
R. S. Cowles, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Windsor, CT
K. Kido, Entomology, UC Riverside
H. S. Costa, Entomology, UC Riverside
D. D. Giraud, UC Cooperative Extension, Humboldt/Del Norte counties

Top of page

Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
All contents copyright © 2009 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

For noncommercial purposes only, any Web site may link directly to this page. FOR ALL OTHER USES or more information, read Legal Notices. Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual solutions to specific pest problems. See How to manage pests, or in the U.S., contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance. /PMG/r785300911.html revised: September 23, 2009. Contact webmaster.