Potato Leafhopper

Potato Leafhopper Life StagesPotato Leafhopper Life Stages

Stippling from Leafhopper Feeding on Plant FoliageStippling from Leafhopper Feeding on Plant Foliage

Foliage Discoloration from Leafhopper FeedingFoliage Discoloration from Leafhopper Feeding

Potato Leafhoppers Caught in Sweep NetPotato Leafhoppers Caught in Sweep Net

HOSTS

  • Alfalfa
  • Legumes
  • Potato
  • Solanaceae
  • Weeds including pigweed and shepherd's purse

DESCRIPTION

Adults are wedge-shaped, light green in color, and widest at the head with an elongated body. Both adults and nymphs move quickly and can run forward, backward, or sideways.

BIOLOGY

Egg| Nymph | Adult

  • 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. 

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.

SCOUTING

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. 

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

  • This pest rarely causes significant damage to vegetables in Utah. Potato leafhoppers are known to vector the fire blight bacterium which is a serious disease of pear, apple, and related pome fruit trees.

    • Manage weeds, as they can harbor leafhoppers.
    • If populations and damage are high, approved insecticides are available. 
















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