Garden Fleahopper in Alfalfa
Crop Injury: The garden fleahopper (Halticus bractatus) feeds on alfalfa and many other plant species. Fleahoppers feed on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts, leaving tiny, pale spots on leaves. High populations and the resulting heavy feeding can cause leaves to curl at the margins and turn brown. Alfalfa can recover from heavy feeding with adequate moisture.
Pest Description: Garden fleahopper adults are very small and shiny black with white speckled wing covers. They have relatively long antennae and hind legs. Legs are dark orange on lower portions. Some female garden fleahoppers have thick bodies and short wings, appearing like small crickets. Nymphs are greenish. Fleahoppers quickly jump when disturbed.
Garden fleahopper
Adam Sisson
Garden fleahopper
Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
Life Cycle: Garden fleahopper eggs and adults overwinter. New eggs are laid in spring inside feeding punctures. Nymphs emerge from eggs, feed, and develop through multiple instars before reaching adulthood. Garden fleahoppers can have three generations per year.
Scouting: Scout for adult fleahoppers during summer months.
Management: Late harvested fields may be at higher risk for fleahopper injury.
Prepared and reviewed by the Alfalfa Pest Management Working Group.
Garden fleahopper
Garden fleahopper. Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org.
Garden fleahoppers. Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org.
Gallery images courtesy Adam Sisson and Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org.
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