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LEAFHOPPERS
Leafhoppers are sap-sucking insects. They are small and generally inconspicuous, commonly feeding on the underside of a leaf.
Leafhopper damage
Leafhoppers are an important group of insects that can cause damage and spread disease to a wide variety of crops. Leafhoppers have piercing-sucking mouthparts. They insert their mouthpart and withdraw plant sap similar to a mosquito taking blood. This causes a stipple or spotted pattern of color loss where the leaf was punctured. Stunting, whitening, general yellowing, leaf-curling, crinkling, browning, and general decline in vigor may occur from leafhopper feeding damage. Leaf margins are often rolled upwards on plants with leafhopper damage.
Leafhoppers are also carriers of virus and related diseases, such as Aster yellows. Leafhoppers are small (generally 1/8 to 1/4 inch or so), elongated, wedge-shaped insects capable of hopping away quickly when disturbed. The head has a “snout”. They have large eyes at the side of the head and small hair like antennae. Leafhoppers are generally yellow to green or greenish blue, occasionally with some white or black bands or spots. Some have bright red markings.
University of Georgia Plant Pathology Archive, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Lifecycle
Leafhoppers have gradual metamorphosis. Females deposit slender, light-colored eggs in stems and larger veins of leaves. Hatching occurs in 1 to 2 weeks during the summer. The pale nymphs molt four times before molting to sexual winged adults. The adults mate shortly after maturing and repeat the process. There are usually several generations per year.
Photo: David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org
How to control leafhoppers
Applying insecticide systemically will kill any feeding insect on the tree; however this does require slight feeding damage on the plant in order for the insect to ingest the insecticide. Also, spraying the foliage of the tree is effective for control, but may require multiple sprays based on leafhopper populations. Deep root fertilizing is recommended to help restore lost vigor from leafhopper feeding damage.
● Leonard
Owen Tree Service provides tree, lawn, and landscape services to the following cities and towns:
Genesee County, Michigan:
● Burton
● Davison
● Flushing
● Goodrich
● Linden
● Otisville
● Clio
● Fenton
● Gaines
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● Otter Lake
● Flint
● Genesee
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● Swartz Creek
Lapeer County, Michigan:
● Almont
● Brown City
● Columbiaville
● Imlay City
● Metamora
● Peck
● Attica
● Clifford
● Dryden
● Lapeer
● North Branch
● Sandusky
● Hadley
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Macomb County, Michigan:
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● Clinton Twp
● Grosse Pointe
● Macomb
● New Haven
● St Clair Shores
● Centerline
● Detroit
● Grosse Pointe Farms
● Ray
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● Memphis
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● Utica
● Clinton
● Fraser
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Oakland County, Michigan:
● Auburn Hills
● Bloomfield Village
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● Orion
● South Lyon
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● Wixom
St. Clair County, Michigan:
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● Casco
● East China
● Harbor Beach
● Lexington
● Peck
● Allenton
● Clay
● Emmett
● Harsens Island
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● Columbus
● Fort Gratiot
● Kimball
● Memphis
● Sandusky
● Capac
● Cottrellville
● Goodells
● Lakeport
● North Street
● St Clair
