Leafhoppers

Resource Tags:

Leafhoppers 
Insects, Spiders, & More 

About the Resource:

Leafhoppers are small, sap-sucking insects that can be pests in gardens and agricultural settings. They belong to the family Cicadellidae, which is part of the order Hemiptera (true bugs).

Identification

  1. Appearance
    • Size: Leafhoppers are generally small, ranging from 1/8 to 1/4 inch (3-6 mm) long.
    • Color: They come in various colors, including green, yellow, brown, and black. Some species have distinctive markings or patterns.
    • Shape: They have a wedge-shaped or triangular body, often with a narrow neck between the head and thorax.
    • Wings: Leafhoppers have two pairs of wings, which are usually held roof-like over their body when at rest. The wings are often transparent or translucent with varying degrees of veining.
  2. Behavior
    • Jumping: Leafhoppers are known for their strong hind legs, which allow them to jump long distances when disturbed.
    • Feeding: They feed by piercing plant tissues with their needle-like mouthparts to suck out plant sap. This feeding behavior can cause damage to the plant.
  3. Damage Symptoms
    • Leaf Distortion: Feeding can cause leaves to curl, become deformed, or exhibit stippling (small, yellowish spots).
    • Yellowing: Infested plants may show signs of yellowing, particularly around the leaf margins.
    • Drop of Leaves: Severe infestations can lead to premature leaf drop and reduced plant vigor.
    • Honeydew and Sooty Mold: Leafhoppers excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can lead to the growth of sooty mold on the plant.

Types of Leafhoppers

  1. Common Leafhoppers:
    • Psyllids: Often referred to as jumping plant lice, psyllids are closely related to leafhoppers and can cause similar damage.
    • Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter: A notable pest that spreads various plant diseases, including Pierce’s disease in grapes.
  2. Specialized Pests:
    • Potato Leafhopper: A significant pest of potatoes and other vegetables, causing damage through its feeding and spread of plant diseases.
    • Citrus Leafhopper: Known for damaging citrus trees and spreading citrus greening disease.

Management and Control

  1. Cultural Controls
    • Plant Selection: Choose resistant or less susceptible plant varieties where possible.
    • Healthy Plants: Maintain overall plant health through proper watering, fertilization, and pest management practices to reduce the impact of leafhoppers.
  2. Physical Controls
    • Row Covers: Use floating row covers or mesh barriers to physically protect plants from leafhopper infestations.
    • Trap Crops: Plant trap crops that attract leafhoppers away from valuable crops. This can help reduce pest pressure on the main crops.
  3. Chemical Controls
    • Insecticides: Various insecticides can control leafhopper populations, including those containing active ingredients like carbaryl, pyrethroids, or neonicotinoids. Follow label instructions and consider the impact on beneficial insects.
    • Systemic Insecticides: For persistent problems, systemic insecticides that are absorbed by plants can be effective. Apply these treatments according to specific guidelines for timing and dosage.
  4. Biological Controls
    • Natural Predators: Encourage or release natural predators such as ladybugs, lacewings, and spiders, which can help control leafhopper populations.
    • Parasitic Wasps: Certain parasitic wasps target leafhoppers and can be used as a biological control method.
  5. Monitoring and Early Detection
    • Regular Inspections: Regularly check plants for signs of leafhopper activity. Look for their presence on the undersides of leaves and inspect for damage.
    • Traps: Use sticky traps to monitor leafhopper populations. These traps can help gauge the level of infestation and effectiveness of control measures.
  6. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
    • Combination of Methods: Use a combination of cultural, physical, biological, and chemical controls to manage leafhoppers effectively. An IPM approach helps reduce reliance on any single method and minimizes the impact on the environment.

Challenges and Considerations

  • Pest Mobility: Leafhoppers are highly mobile and can quickly spread across plants and gardens, making control efforts challenging.
  • Disease Transmission: Some leafhoppers are vectors for plant diseases, which can complicate management efforts and require additional strategies to address the spread of pathogens.
  • Beneficial Insects: Be cautious when using insecticides, as they can also affect beneficial insects that help control other pests.