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.
This publication was developed by the Crop Protection Network, a multi-state and international collaboration of university/provincial extension specialists and public/ private professionals that provides unbiased, research-based information to farmers and agricultural personnel. This information in this publication is only a guide, and the authors assume no liability for practices implemented based on this information. Reference to products in this publication is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others that may be similar. Individuals using such products assume responsibility for their use in accordance with current directions of the manufacturer.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Extension Implementation Program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
©2025 by the Crop Protection Network. All rights reserved.
