
Leafhopper damage on maple
Key Points
- Adults of most leafhoppers are one-eighth to one-fourth inch long, slender and hold the wings roof-like over the back.
- Many have angular, pointed heads.
- Immature leafhoppers, or nymphs are similar to the adults but smaller with short wings.
- Most pest leafhoppers are green with some color banding.
- There are one or more generations a year depending on the species.
Leafhopper Damage
- Most leafhoppers feed on the upper surface of terminal leaves.
- They feed by sucking chlorophyll from leaves.
- This feeding activity results in coarse, white stippling.
- The feeding activities of some species produce curling and stunting of terminal leaves.
- Cottonwood, willow, honeylocust, dogwood, hawthorn, birch, cherry, and apple may be damaged.
- Other species may transmit xylem-fastidious bacteria capable of causing scorch-like symptoms on elm, oak, red maple, and red mulberry.
Management
- Small shrubs and trees may be protected with sprays of a registered insecticide if honeydew or stippling is a problem.
- Concentrate sprays where leafhoppers feed, usually on new growth.
- To manage bacterial leaf scorch, prune out infected branches below symptoms and improve tree vigor with standard cultural practices.
- Over-fertilization may increase leafhopper populations.

Adult leafhopper

Closeup of adult leafhoppers

Immature leafhopper