Potato Leafhopper
Empoasca fabae
Hosts
- Greenhouse and field-grown hemp
- Alfalfa
- Beans
- Eggplant
- Potato
- Weeds (including pigweed and shepherd's purse)
Description
Adults are wedge-shaped, light green, and widest at the head with an elongated body. The adult has clear wings and large white eyes. Nymphs are smaller and lack wings. Both adults and nymphs move quickly and can run forward, backward, or sideways, and are capable of jumping.
Life Cycle
Egg | Nymph | Adult
- 4 to 5 generations annually.
- Several overlapping generations per year.
- Overwinter in warmer locations (not northern Utah) and migrate north.
- Females lay eggs in stems or leaves.
- Eggs hatch and nymphs generally feed on the undersides of leaves.
Damaging Lifestage(s): Nymph, Adult
Damage Symptoms
Adults and nymphs feed with piercing-sucking mouthparts that result in white-flecked
injury (stippling) on the foliage. With heavy feeding, leaves may show scorching (browning) at the feeding sites.
Time for Concern
June through harvest.
When and Where to Scout
- Monitor for scorched (brown) leaf margins, curling leaves, and stippling, starting in June.
- Look under symptomatic leaves for green flying or jumping insects or for the pale, flightless nymph which readily moves when disturbed.
Threat Level
Low. The feeding injury resulting in light stippling and white flecks on leaves is of little consequence to overall plant health.
Occurrence in Utah
Leafhoppers and leafhopper damage have been observed on hemp in low levels.
Management
- Manage weeds, as they can harbor leafhoppers.
- If populations and damage are high, approved insecticides are available.
When to Consider Treatment
Generally, potato leafhopper has not caused enough damage in Utah hemp to warrant treatment
Look-alikes
Other leafhopper species (e.g. beet leafhopper); symptoms resemble damage from spider mites.
Insecticides for Leafhoppers
Utah-Registered Product | Active Ingredient(s) | Notes |
---|---|---|
AzaGuard | azadirachtin | |
Azatin O Biological Insecticide | azadirachtin | |
Azatrol EC Insecticide | azadirachtin | |
Azera Insecticide | azadirachtin | |
Bayer Advanced NATRIA Insecticidal Soap Ready-To-Use | potassium laurate | |
Bonide Insecticidal Soap MultiPurpose Insect Control Ready To Use | potassium laurate | Greenhouse use only. |
Botanigard Maxx | pyrethrins | Greenhouse use only. |
Bug Buster-O Extinguish Ant Bait | pyrethrins | Greenhouse use only. |
Captiva | capsicum oleoresin extract | |
Captiva Prime | capsicum oleoresin extract | |
Deadzone | diatomaceous earth | |
Evergreen Crop Protection EC 60-6 | pyrethrins | |
Ferti-lome Fruit Tree Spray | pyrethrins | |
Garden Safe Brand Insecticidal Soap Insect Killer | potassium laurate | |
Kopa Insecticidal Soap | potassiums salts of fatty acid | |
Molt-X | azadirachtin | |
M-Pede Insecticide Miticide Fungicide | potassium laurate | |
Natural Guard Brand by Ferti-lome Insecticidal Soap Concentrate | potassium salts of fatty acids | |
Neemix 4.5 Insect Growth Regulator | azadirachtin | |
Pycana | pyrethrins | Greenhouse use only. |
Pyganic Crop Protection EC 1.4 II; 5.0 II | pyrethrins | |
Pyrethrum TR Total Release Insecticide | pyrethrins | |
Safer Brand #567 Pyrethrin & Insecticidal Soap Concentrate II | potassium salts of fatty acids | Use prior to flowering. |
Safer Brand Insect Killing Soap Concentrate II | potassium salts of fatty acids | |
Safer Brand Insect Killing Soap with Seaweed Extract II | potassium salts of fatty acids | |
Safer Brand Yard & Garden Insect Killer II | potassium salts of fatty acids | |
Surround WP Crop Protectant | kaolin | |
Tersus Insecticide | pyrethrins | |
Venerate CG; XC | Burkholderia sp. strain A396 | |
Xpectro OD | pyrethrins |
Photo Credits
Life Stages - USU Extension IPM Program
Leaf damage - USU Extension IPM Program
Hemp damage - Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
Adult - Steve L. Brown, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org