Description
Leafhoppers get their name from their tendency to take short, hoppy flights when disturbed or in danger. They belong to the family Cicadellidae with a diverse number of species found throughout the world. Leafhoppers are piercing-sucking insects that feed on a variety of plants. They are easily seen, often resting on foliage, and generally causing little or no damage. However, when they do find a crop they savor, they can cause significant feeding damage such as stippling (white spots), yellowing leaf edges, curled or mottled young leaves, and dark excrement left on the underside of the leaves. Leafhoppers molt several times during their nymphal stage leaving papery castings which are typically found on the underside of the leaves. Many insects prefer living under leaves because of the shade and higher humidity.
Target Crop
Leafhoppers have been observed on an assortment of crops such as wine grapes, hops, potatoes, mint and cannabis.
Life Cycle
Adult leafhoppers overwinter in areas where there is ample plant debris, established weed patches and other areas where there is little chance of disturbance. In the spring, adults (generally up to 1/2 inch long) emerge and female leafhoppers lay up to 6 eggs per day in plant stems and veins. The eggs hatch in a week and nymphs complete their molting process over a two week period until finally developing into the adult stage. Multiple overlapping generations can occur each year.
Beneficial Insect Control
Orius insidiosus - aka pirate bugs - are adaptable predators that feed on the nymphal stages of leafhoppers, as well as thrips. They are highly mobile and can fly to search for their prey. With an adequate food source, including pollen or ephestia eggs, they can establish a population in the crop or on a banker plant system.
Release 1 Orius /10 sq. ft. of plant canopy (100/1,000 sq. ft.). Gently shake onto the foliage or open the container and allow the insects to disperse naturally.
Green Lacewing larvae are also generalist predators that feed on leafhoppers. Each larva can devour 200 or more pests and pest eggs a week over their 3 week lifetime.
Release lacewing larvae at a rate of 0.1 - 1.0/sq. ft. depending on severity of the infestation. Release 1-2/10 sq. ft. tri-weekly for maintenance. If using eggs multiple rate by five.
Insecticide Options
Products that contain neem oil (Trilogy) have proven useful for leafhopper control. Also microbial products such as Botanigard, Molt-X, Venerate, Arber, and Grandevo can be used when populations are low and just beginning to build.
Cultural Control Tips
Building biodiversity into the system by attracting naturally occurring predators can help tememdously. A variety of helpful 'banker plants' include Lobularia maritime (sweet alyssum) and the ornamental pepper variety 'purple flash'. Both have proven to be highly effective banker plants to attract Orius as well as providing a food source from their pollen which supports the establishment of Orius in the crop. When choosing a Lobularia species, any hybrid variety can be used, however, the white and more fragrant varieties are the best.
Remove excessive yard debris and weed patches which provide leafhopper habitat over the winter.
