Garden Fleahopper in Alfalfa
Published: 03/23/2022
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.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
©2022 by the Crop Protection Network. All rights reserved.
