How to Get Rid of Leafhoppers: Effective Tips and Tricks

Leafhoppers are small insects that can cause significant damage to your garden and plants. These pests belong to the family Cicadellidae and use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract sap from plants, leading to yellowing, stunted growth, and even death in some cases. They come in various species, but all can pose a threat to the health of your garden.

Getting rid of leafhoppers isn’t always easy, but with some simple strategies, you can protect your plants and keep these pests at bay. Early detection is crucial in controlling their population, and you should always keep an eye on your plants for the first signs of leafhopper damage. The adults are typically 1/8 to 1/4 inch long, and their nymphs are smaller, making them harder to spot.

There are several methods available to tackle a leafhopper infestation, ranging from natural predators to insecticides. Determining the right approach for your garden will ultimately depend on your personal preference and the extent of the infestation. Knowing the pros and cons of each method can help you choose the best course of action.

Identifying Leafhoppers and Their Damage

Physical Characteristics

Leafhoppers are small insects belonging to the family Cicadellidae within the order Hemiptera. Adult leafhoppers typically range between one-eighth to one-fourth inch in length and have a slightly wedge-shaped body. Their color varies, but many common species have light or brown coloring. One distinguishing feature is their hind legs, which have one or more rows of small spines on the tibiae (“shins”). Nymphs, the immature stage of leafhoppers, are smaller and often found on the undersides of leaves.

Some key characteristics of leafhoppers include:

• Small size (one-eighth to one-fourth inch long)
• Wedge-shaped body
• Light or brown coloring
• Hind legs with small spines on tibiae

Leafhopper Damage Signs

Leafhoppers cause damage by using their piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract plant sap. This can result in several types of injury to the plants, including leaf curl, discoloration, and stunted growth. One of the most noticeable signs of a leafhopper infestation is the presence of honeydew, a shiny and sticky waste product they excrete. In addition, some leafhopper species are vectors of plant pathogens, further damaging the plants they infest.

Some common signs of leafhopper damage include:

• Leaf curl
• Discoloration
• Stunted growth
• Presence of honeydew
• Plant diseases caused by pathogens transmitted by leafhoppers

Preventing Leafhopper Infestations

Garden Maintenance

Regularly inspect your plants for signs of leafhoppers, such as yellowing on leaves, flowers, and stems. Maintaining a clean garden can also help to reduce leafhopper infestations. Make sure to remove any debris and eliminate weeds, as they can serve as host plants for leafhoppers. Floating row covers can provide an additional layer of protection for your plants during the growing season.

Using natural substances such as diatomaceous earth and neem oil can also help to control leafhoppers without harming beneficial insects or pollinators.

Plant Selection

Choose plants that are less attractive to leafhoppers, such as beans, vegetables, and roses. Replace susceptible plants with more resistant varieties. Check with your local gardening center or extension office for recommendations on the best plant selections for your area. Also, avoid planting ornamental plants, such as those that belong to the Graphocephala coccinea family, as they are particularly susceptible to leafhopper infestations.

Some resistant plants for your consideration:

• Beans
• Vegetables
• Roses

Beneficial Insects

Encouraging beneficial insects, such as lacewings, minute pirate bugs, and predatory spiders, can be an effective biological control method for managing leafhopper infestations. These insects help control leafhopper populations by feeding on them or their eggs.

Some natural enemies of leafhoppers include:

• Lacewings
• Minute pirate bugs
• Predatory spiders

To attract these insects, plant a variety of flowers and shrubs that serve as food and habitat for these beneficial species. Keep a consistent water source to support insect populations, and avoid using insecticides that may harm these natural predators.

Identifying and Monitoring Leafhopper Populations

Visual Inspection

One of the primary ways to identify leafhopper populations is through visual inspection. Both adult and nymph leafhoppers can cause damage to plants by feeding on their sap. Some symptoms of leafhopper infestations include:

• Spotting or stippling on leaves
• Stunted growth or curled leaves
• Transmission of diseases, such as aster yellows bacteria

Leafhoppers come in various colors and sizes, like the redbanded leafhopper, which has bright red and blue (or green) markings.

Sticky Traps

Another method to monitor leafhoppers is by using sticky traps. These traps can help to:

• Determine the size of the leafhopper population
• Identify the different species present
• Track the increase or decrease in their numbers over time

Sticky traps work by attracting adult bugs, which then get caught on the trap’s sticky surface.

Monitoring Generations and Life Cycle

Understanding the life cycle of leafhoppers can help with effective management strategies. Key points to know about their life cycle include:

• Egg-laying by adult leafhoppers on plant tissues
• Nymphs hatching from eggs and feeding on plant sap
• Multiple generations occurring throughout the growing season

Monitoring multiple generations is crucial for effective pest control, as certain stages (e.g., eggs or nymphs) may be more susceptible to control methods or natural predators.

Examples of leafhopper natural predators include:

• Ladybugs
• Parasitic wasps
• Other beneficial insects

These predators are essential to maintaining a balanced ecosystem and minimizing damage caused by leafhoppers.

How to Compare Leafhopper Species

When trying to identify leafhopper species, consider the following table for a comparison of different characteristics:

Understanding the differences between leafhopper species can assist with efforts to monitor and manage their populations effectively.

Effective Leafhopper Control Methods

Insecticidal Soap and Other Insecticides

Insecticidal soaps are a popular method for controlling leafhoppers, as they only target soft-bodied insects like leafhoppers, making them a safer option for beneficial insects. For example:

• Pro: Insecticidal soaps are safer for beneficial insects
• Con: May require reapplication
  Other chemical options include pyrethrins, which are derived from chrysanthemum flowers, and carbaryl, a broad-spectrum insecticide. Both can help control leafhoppers, but remember:
• Pro: They are effective against a variety of pests
• Con: Broad-spectrum insecticides can harm beneficial insects

Natural Remedies

Introducing beneficial insects into your garden can help manage leafhopper populations. Examples include:

• Ladybugs
• Lacewings
• Assassin bugs
  These insects prey on leafhoppers and help control infestations. Also, ants indirectly help by feeding on the honeydew produced by leafhoppers, reducing the likelihood of mold.

Another natural method is using sticky traps, which can be placed around plants known to attract leafhoppers, such as potatoes, grapes, and apples.

Professional Pest Control

If your garden or farm has severe leafhopper damage or infestation and you have unsuccessfully tried other methods, consider hiring a professional pest control company. Professionals have access to a wider range of insecticides and can help identify the specific leafhopper species causing the problem, such as the beet leafhopper or two-spotted leafhopper, and take appropriate action. Remember:

• Pro: Professionals are knowledgeable and well-equipped
• Con: This option can be more expensive