Beet Leafhopper

Beet Leafhopper Life StagesBeet Leafhopper Life Stages

Burned (Browned) Leaf Damage from Leafhopper Feeding"Burned" Leaves from Leafhopper Feeding

Bean Plant with Curly Top VirusBean Plant with Curly Top Virus

Floating Row Covers over Garden BedsGarden beds with floating row covers.

HOSTS

  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Cucurbits
  • Leafy Greens
  • Tomato

DESCRIPTION

Adults and nymphs have wedge-shaped bodies varying in color from pale green, gray, or tan. Adults are winged and about 3 mm long. Nymphs are smaller than adults and their wings are not fully developed. Both adults and nymphs will jump when disturbed.
Beet leafhoppers are difficult to differentiate from other leafhopper species.

BIOLOGY

Egg | Nymph | Adult
Beet leafhoppers have multiple generations per year. They overwinter as adults on weeds and volunteer plants in southern Utah. Adults migrate north on spring wind currents. The leafhoppers will live on weeds, until the weeds begin to dry up. The leafhoppers will then move to suitable vegetable hosts to feed and reproduce.

SYMPTOMS

Adults and nymphs feed with piercing sucking mouthparts which can cause shriveled and "burned" (browned) leaves under severe infestations.

The beet leafhopper can also transmit curly top virus to beans, beets, cucurbits, flax, pepper, potato, spinach, squash, Swiss chard, and tomato. Curly top virus symptoms include small twisted leaves with purple veins, thickened crisp leaves, yellowing and death of mature leaves, small fruits that ripen prematurely, reduced fruit quality and yield, and stunted growth. Symptoms of curly top virus may occur in susceptible hosts before nymphs or adults are seen.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

  • Direct feeding damage is not economically important, but beet leafhoppers can infect plants with curly top virus for which there is no cure; remove infected plants to slow virus spread.

    • Exclude leafhoppers with floating row covers
    • Shade tomato and pepper plants
    • Destroy and remove plant debris.
    • ‘Hide’ susceptible plants among resistant plants.

INSECTICIDES

Insecticide applications directed at leafhoppers are ineffective due to their wide host range, ability to migrate long distances, and rapid virus transmission.







Precautionary Statement: Utah State University and its employees are not responsible for the use, misuse, or damage caused by application or misapplication of products or information mentioned in this document. All pesticides are labeled with ingredients, instructions, and risks, and not all are registered for edible crops. “Restricted use” pesticides may only be applied by a licensed applicator. The pesticide applicator is legally responsible for proper use. USU makes no endorsement of the products listed in this publication.