What Do Leafhoppers Eat: A Quick Guide on Their Diet

Leafhoppers are a fascinating group of insects that belong to the Cicadellidae family within the Hemiptera order. These tiny, agile creatures are quite diverse, with more than 20,000 known species worldwide. You might often see them in your garden, hopping from plant to plant as they search for their next meal.

As the name suggests, leafhoppers mostly feed on the sap of plants. They use their specialized mouthparts to pierce plant tissues and extract the nutritious sap, which is their primary source of sustenance. This feeding behavior is shared by many members of the Hemiptera order, including the well-known aphids and cicadas.

Leafhoppers tend to be somewhat selective when it comes to their diet, with many species showing preferences for specific types of plants. For instance, the potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae) is a significant pest of various food crops such as potatoes, beans, and eggplants. However, they can also be found feeding on numerous other plants, including ornamental and wild species, affecting their growth and health.

Leafhopper’s Diet

Leafhoppers are small insects that feed on a variety of plants. In your garden or among your crops, you may come across these tiny creatures enjoying their meals. So, what exactly do leafhoppers eat?

Leafhoppers primarily feed on plant sap. They use their needle-like mouthparts to pierce plant tissues and extract the sap from the leaves and stems. Since sap is essentially plant juice, it serves as a nutrition-rich diet for these insects.

There are numerous species of leafhoppers, and each one may have specific preferences for certain plant types. For instance, the Potato leafhopper is a significant pest that targets over 200 plants, including potatoes, beans, eggplants, cucumbers, pumpkins, and more.

• Some leafhoppers favor legumes
• Others prefer fruit-bearing plants like grapes

While feeding on plants, leafhoppers can cause significant damage. They not only drain the plant sap, but their feeding can also lead to deformities, stunted growth, and even death in severe cases. As a plant owner or gardener, it’s essential to be aware of these pests and take appropriate measures to protect your plant investments.

To sum it up, leafhoppers have a quite simple diet: they eat plant sap from various types of plants. Their feeding habits make them potentially harmful pests for your garden and crops, so keeping an eye out for them is important.

Leafhopper Species

Leafhoppers are diverse insects belonging to the family Cicadellidae and feed on a variety of plant species by sucking their sap¹. There are several leafhopper species worth mentioning:

Potato Leafhopper

The Potato Leafhopper (Empoasca fabae) is a small, green insect that can severely damage potato plants. They jump and fly quickly when disturbed, making them difficult to control.

Beet Leafhopper

The Beet Leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus) targets plants within the goosefoot and amaranth families. This harmful pest is known to transmit diseases such as curly top virus in beets, tomatoes, and peppers.

Two-Spotted Leafhopper

Two-Spotted Leafhoppers are yellowish with a dark, reddish stripe along their back. These tiny insects² feed on dozens of ornamental plants and a few crops such as lettuce and endive.

Blue-Green Sharpshooter

The Blue-Green Sharpshooter is a type of leafhopper with bluish-green coloring. They are attracted to a range of plants like grapes, citrus trees, or woody ornamentals.

Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter

The Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter is a large leafhopper with translucent wings. This insect is notorious for spreading Pierce’s disease which impacts grapevines and is difficult to control.

By understanding the different leafhopper species, you can better protect your plants from these sap-sucking pests.

Lifecycle of Leafhoppers

You might find it interesting to learn about the life cycle of leafhoppers. These tiny insects play a significant role in the ecosystem. Leafhoppers belong to the family Cicadellidae and are known for their piercing-sucking mouthparts, which they use to extract plant sap¹.

The leafhopper life cycle consists of three main stages: egg, nymph, and adult.

Egg Stage:
The journey begins when female leafhoppers lay their eggs within plant tissue. Many generations can occur within a single year, and the overwintering of eggs can also take place in some species³.

Nymph Stage:
Once the eggs hatch, tiny nymphs emerge. These nymphs resemble smaller, wingless versions of adult leafhoppers¹. During this stage, nymphs undergo several molts, gradually increasing in size until they reach adulthood.

Adult Stage:
The fully-grown leafhoppers are usually one-eighth to one-fourth inch long¹. As adults, they continue feeding on plant sap and are known for their quick, hopping movements⁴.

In conclusion, understanding the life cycle of leafhoppers provided an insight into their fascinating little world, from the moment they hatch as nymphs to their final form as adults.

Signs of Infestation and Damage

Leafhoppers are insects that feed on plant sap, causing various forms of damage to the plants they infest. Here, we’ll discuss some of the common signs to look for if you suspect a leafhopper infestation.

Stippling: One of the first signs of leafhopper damage is the appearance of stippling on the leaves. This occurs when the insects pierce the plant’s surface and extract sap, leaving behind small white or yellow specks on the leaves.

Yellowing: As leafhoppers continue feeding on the plant, the leaves may begin to turn yellow due to the loss of nutrients. This weakens the plant and can eventually lead to reduced growth and overall health.

Curling: In some cases, leafhopper feeding can cause the edges of the leaves to curl. This is another indication of an infestation, as the insects’ feeding disrupts the normal development and structure of the leaves.

To determine if you have a leafhopper infestation, keep an eye out for the following signs:

• Small, jumping insects on the plants
• Stippled, yellowing, or curling leaves

If you notice these signs, take action to manage the infestation, such as implementing pest management strategies or consulting with a professional. By addressing the issue early, you can help minimize the damage leafhoppers can cause and maintain the health of your plants.

Leafhoppers and Plant Diseases

Leafhoppers are tiny insects that belong to the family Cicadellidae. These pests feed on plant sap by using their piercing-sucking mouthparts. While feeding, they excrete honeydew, a waste product that can attract other pests and cause plant diseases. In this section, we’ll focus on two common diseases associated with leafhoppers: Aster Yellows and Beet Curly Top Virus.

Aster Yellows

Aster Yellows is a phytoplasma disease that affects a wide range of plants. The disease is spread by the aster leafhopper (Macrosteles fascifrons) and certain other leafhoppers. Symptoms of Aster Yellows include:

• Yellowing and dwarfing of plants
• Distorted foliage
• Abnormal production of shoots

Examples of affected plants include carrots, celery, lettuce, potatoes, and other vegetables according to UC IPM.

Beet Curly Top Virus

Beet Curly Top Virus (BCTV) is a plant disease transmitted by the beet leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus). This virus primarily affects plants in the family Chenopodiaceae, but can also infect other crops and ornamental plants. Symptoms of BCTV include:

• Curled, twisted leaves
• Stunted growth
• Plant death in severe cases

Some examples of affected plants include beets, spinach, tomatoes, and beans. The virus is prevalent in North America, particularly in the western United States.

In both cases, diseases caused by leafhoppers can have a significant impact on plant growth and crop yield. To prevent these diseases, you can implement various measures, such as:

• Regularly monitoring your plants for leafhoppers and their damage
• Removing weeds and debris, which may harbor leafhoppers
• Using insecticides if necessary

By understanding the role of leafhoppers in transmitting plant diseases, you can take better care of your plants and maintain a healthy garden.

Environmental Impact

Leafhoppers have a significant environmental impact, especially on the world’s crops, as they feed on a wide variety of plants. Some common plants they target include vegetables, flowers, trees, and various fruit crops like apples and grapes. They also impact ornamental plants, such as roses and shrubs, and field crops like alfalfa and beans.

When leafhoppers feed, they use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract plant sap. This feeding can cause damage to plants, like curling and necrosis, which eventually leads to reduced yield or even plant death. For example, potato leafhoppers can cause considerable damage to both eggplants and potatoes, resulting in hopper burn.

Here is a brief comparison table of leafhopper impacts on some common plants:

Apart from direct damage, leafhoppers can also spread plant diseases. One such disease is aster yellows, transmitted by the aster leafhopper, which can affect several crops, including carrots, celery, lettuce, and potatoes source.

To summarize:

• Leafhoppers feed on a wide range of plants, including crops, ornamentals, and trees
• They cause direct damage by feeding on plant sap, resulting in foliage damage, reduced yield, and even plant death
• Leafhoppers can also act as vectors for plant diseases, further damaging the affected plants

Protective Measures Against Leafhoppers

To protect your plants from leafhoppers, here are some effective protective measures:

Physical Barriers:

• Use floating row covers to prevent leafhoppers from accessing your plants. Secure the edges to keep them out.

Cultural Controls:

• Regularly monitor your plants to identify leafhopper presence early.
• Removing weeds and debris from your garden reduces their hiding spots.

Biological Controls:

• Introduce beneficial insects like lacewings and predators that feed on leafhoppers, helping to control their population.

Chemical Controls:

• Apply insecticidal soap or diatomaceous earth to affected areas.
• For more severe infestations, consider carbaryl or other insecticides. Use them with caution to avoid harming beneficial insects.

Natural Products:

• Neem oil can help deter leafhoppers. Apply it according to the label instructions.

Remember to combine multiple strategies for the best protection against leafhoppers and avoid using chemicals as your first line of defense. By doing so, you’ll have a healthier, thriving garden.

Leafhoppers’ Relationship with Other Insects

Leafhoppers are sap-sucking insects that can be found in various environments. They share relationships with other insects, some being beneficial and others being antagonistic.

Ants and Aphids: Both leafhoppers and certain species of ants share a fascinating mutualistic relationship. Leafhoppers excrete honeydew as a byproduct of their sap-feeding, which attracts ants due to its sweet taste. In return for the honeydew, ants protect leafhoppers from predators like ladybugs and spiders. Similarly, ants also form relationships with aphids for the same reasons.

Predators: Leafhoppers face threats from various insect predators, such as:

• Ladybugs: Known for their voracious appetite for aphids, they also prey on leafhopper nymphs.
• Spiders: These arachnids feed on various insects, including leafhoppers, by trapping them in their webs.
• Minute Pirate Bugs: As generalist predators, these bugs feed on leafhoppers along with other pests like spider mites and thrips.

Pollinators: While leafhoppers mainly feed on plant sap, they can inadvertently aid in pollination. As they move between plants, they may come into contact with pollen, transferring it between flowers and helping in the pollination process.

In conclusion, leafhoppers form complex relationships with various insects, some of which are mutually beneficial, while others pose a threat to their survival. Understanding these relationships can help in managing their population and mitigating any potential damage they may cause to plants.