Every year millions of dollars are lost from reduced crop yields and on pest management. Symptoms. Damage. Heavily infested plants will be stunted, particularly new stands and regrowth after cutting. Many farmers are unaware of the significance of PLH damage, which is often blamed on the hot, dry weather that frequently accompanies it. Reports of potato leafhoppers in alfalfa are a sure sign that summer weather is here. Scouting and Economic Thresholds. When alfalfa is subjected to intense feeding, … However, potato leafhoppers … Mixed stands: Alfalfa in an alfalfa/grass stand can suffer less damage compared to alfalfa alone. Every alfalfa field sampled throughout south central and north central Kansas from 8-13 October had significant infestations of potato leafhoppers (see fig 1). This discoloration is caused by a toxin the leafhopper injects into the alfalfa plant as it sucks out plant juices. These include alfalfa, apples, and all types of beans, clover, dahlia, eggplant, potatoes, rhubarb, soybeans, strawberries and other bedding plants. The economic threshold for established alfalfa stands is to treat if sweep averages are greater than 0.2 leafhoppers/sweep on 3 inch alfalfa, 0.5 leafhoppers/sweep on 6 inch alfalfa, 1.0 leafhopper/sweep on 8-11 inch alfalfa and 2.0/sweep on alfalfa taller than 12 inches. This short video describes how to identify the potato leafhopper and its damage in alfalfa, along with a brief mention of control options. Damage is most severe in new seedings and young regrowth. Hot, dry weather is high risk. At our Western Agricultural Research Center near South Charleston, OH the PLH numbers last week in early alfalfa regrowth were generally about half the number needed to reach economic treatment thresholds. This symptom may occasionally be confused with boron deficiency but can easily be distinguished from it by the presence … Economic thresholds in alfalfa are based on leafhopper density, plant height, market value and control costs. Damage caused by leafhoppers includes stunted plants, brown leaves and reduced plant vigor. An early symptom of leafhopper damage is a triangular or V-shaped yellow or purple area at the tip of alfalfa leaves. New alfalfa seedings are particularly susceptible to potato leafhopper damage. MSU entomologist Christina DiFonzo says, “Potato leafhopper is the most important insect pest of alfalfa and dry beans in Michigan.” In alfalfa, sample using a sweep net and treat based on a combination of potato leafhopper number per sweep and average plant height. Empoasca fabae, potato leafhopper, Size: 3.3 mm. The potato leafhopper is a pesky insect that makes its way north every summer by hitching a ride in late May or early June on weather fronts that begin in the Gulf States. In fact, we have growers in Pennsylvania who do not treat their alfalfa fields with insecticides … Healthy alfalfa stands are able to tolerate some potato leafhopper feeding. The potato leafhopper is an important insect pest of alfalfa, fruits, and vegetables. Though its host range extends to over 100 plants including alfalfa, soybean, beans, apples, potatoes, and grapes, the potato leafhopper causes the most significant amount of injury to alfalfa and clover. That tender alfalfa regrowth is more susceptible to damage at lower leafhopper numbers. The wingless nymphs are unable to leave … Damage to alfalfa occurs when leafhoppers inject their needle-like mouthparts into the plant and remove plant juices. The treatment threshold for potato leafhoppers is variable as the economics of hay production is so dynamic depending upon the end use of the hay. Yield losses of up to 50% may result in severe infestations. Therefore, glandular-haired alfalfa varieties can significantly reduce yield losses. Therefore, make sure you are watering … Identifying Leafhopper’s Damage Plants Affected. This photo shows an established alfalfa variety trial in Ohio. Also take note of any plant damage and honeydew in the field. Be sure to scout the alfalfa regrowth for leafhoppers shortly after cutting and removal, as this is one of the more critical periods. To effectively prevent economic losses, treatments must be applied before yellowing occurs. Potato leafhoppers are small bright green insects which migrate annually from the gulf coast to Kentucky on wind currents and can cause significant injury to alfalfa if left unmanaged. However, in the Sacramento Valley area, an average of four leafhopper adults per sweep over 15 days did not cause economic losses to alfalfa hay; but, in the south valley, 10 to 12 hopper adults per sweep significantly reduced both alfalfa yield and quality. Part of the history of growing alfalfa involves dealing with the economically important, yield-robbing insect known as the potato leafhopper (PLH). Other small leafhoppers found in alfalfa are brown or gray in color and do no apparent damage. Spiders and other natural enemies kill potato leafhoppers, so using integrated pest management and spraying insecticides only when economic populations develop will help maintain these allies. A wide range of plants serve as hosts for the potato leafhopper (PLH), many are economically important crops. Alfalfa should probably still be monitored for pests. Generally, dryer weather conditions will enhance damage as a result of the feeding on plants. Most alfalfa fields were cut 7-10 days ago. Some of its most common hosts include potato, pumpkin, apple, eggplant, celery, cucumber, tomato, sugar beet, carrot, grape, onion, squash, and roses. If the number of leafhoppers in a 10-sweep set is equal to or greater than the height of the alfalfa, it is probably time to spray. Because this pest survives almost everywhere, it affects a wide array of plants. In alfalfa, sample using a sweep net and treat based on a combination of potato leafhopper number per sweep and average plant height. ♦ discuss the kinds of leafhopper damage participants have now; ♦ learn how to distinguish and identify leafhoppers; ♦ learn their life cycle; ♦ practice leafhopper sampling technique; ♦ determine which sampling method you’ll use; ♦ discuss what you need to do before you sample; ♦ scout a field for leafhopper presence; ♦ discuss management options. The trial was not sprayed for leafhopper … Many farmers are unaware of t The infestation is also serious in vineyards. 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