Potato Leafhopper in Soybean
Crop Damage: Potato leafhoppers (Empoasca fabae) can be found throughout the U.S., in southern Canada, and in Mexico. Distribution of this pest is influenced by the primary host plant, which is alfalfa. Potato leafhoppers are considered a sporadic pest in soybeans. Both nymphs and adults feed on plant sap using their piercing-sucking mouthparts, while nymphs cause the most damage. Potato leafhoppers inject a toxin into the plant as they feed, which can cause severe injury. Symptoms first appear as distinct yellowing on leaf edges, but as feeding continues, the leaves crinkle, curl, and die. Heavy infestations cause severe stunting. Leafhopper injury is known as “hopperburn” as plants and fields can appear slightly burned compared to healthy plants.
Potato leafhopper “hopperburn” damage on broadleaf plant.
Matthew Borden, Bartlett Tree Experts, Bugwood.org
Pest Description: Adult potato leafhoppers are 1/8 inches long, wedge-shaped, and light green. Adults have six white spots on the section behind the head. Nymphs are smaller, yellow and wingless. The nymphs, which cannot fly, walk sideways at a rapid pace when disturbed.
Potato leafhopper adult.
Daren Mueller, Iowa State University
Potato leafhopper nymph.
Frank Peairs, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
Scouting: Soybean varieties with sparse or very short leaf hair and late planted fields lacking developed leaf hair are most susceptible to feeding and subsequent damage. Plants under moisture stress are also more vulnerable to damage. Potato leafhoppers do not overwinter in the midwestern U.S. Adults migrate from southern U.S. states and can quickly colonize soybean fields. When nearby infested alfalfa fields are harvested, potato leafhoppers can rapidly move to soybean fields, making it important to regularly scout these fields. For soybean plants in growth stages V1 to V4, examine five plants in five areas of the field for nymphs and adults. Carefully inspect the underside of leaves. Record the total number of nymphs and adults and calculate the average number per plant. For soybean plants in stages V5 to R6, take 20 sweeps with a sweep net in five areas of the field. At each location, count both adults and nymphs. Determine the average number of potato leafhoppers per sweep. For soybean in growth stages R3 to R6, determine the number of trifoliate leaves on one plant in each area where sweep netting occurs.
Management: Treatment thresholds vary as potato leafhoppers are a sporadic pest in soybeans. General thresholds for treatment decisions are based on plant growth stage. Treatment may be warranted if there is an average of two or more leafhoppers per plant during VE to V4; if there is an average of one leafhopper per sweep during V5 to R2; and if there is an average of two leafhoppers per trifoliate leaf during R3 to R6.
Developed and reviewed by Carol Pilcher, Iowa State University and Robert Wright, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with support from the United Soybean Board.
Potato leafhopper “hopperburn” damage on broadleaf plant. Photo by Matthew Borden, Bartlett Tree Experts, Bugwood.org.
Potato leafhopper adult. Photo by Daren Mueller, Iowa State University.
Potato leafhopper nymph. Photo by Frank Peairs, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org.
Gallery images by Matthew Borden, Bartlett Tree Experts, Bugwood.org; Daren Mueller, Iowa State University; and Frank Peairs, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org.
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