Leafhoppers - Trees

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