Green Leafhoppers
Scientific group or name: Cicadellidae
Overview
Green leafhoppers are mobile sap-feeding insects. Several unrelated green species occur, and some can transmit plant pathogens.
Host plants
A wide range of vegetables, fruit crops, ornamentals and weeds.
Identification
Adults are wedge-shaped and jump or fly rapidly. Nymphs are wingless and often move sideways across leaves.
Damage and symptoms
Feeding produces pale stippling, yellowing or reduced vigour. Some species are important pathogen vectors.
Lifecycle and favourable conditions
Warm weather, surrounding vegetation and open vents can increase immigration.
Monitoring
Inspect leaf undersides and use sticky traps to detect adults. Species confirmation may be needed where virus risk exists.
Management
Manage weed hosts, screen protected crops where practical and remove badly affected material.
Biological control and natural enemies
Generalist predators and egg parasitoids may contribute, but programmes are strongly species-dependent.
Biological control should be selected only after the pest has been identified and the crop, temperature, growing environment and pest pressure have been considered.
Related BioWiki pages
This page provides general integrated pest-management information. Identification and control decisions should be confirmed for the crop and local situation.