Mountain leafhopper (Colladonus montanus)
Colladonus reductus
Colladonus geminatus
Euscelidius variegatus
Cherry leafhopper (Fiebriella florii)
Scaphytopius acutus
Paraphlepsius irroratus
Pest description and crop damage Leafhoppers are slender, delicate insects about 0.125 inch or less in length. They are distinguishable due to the habit of the adult hopping or flying to escape danger, and by the ability of nymphs and adults to run forwards, backwards, or sideways easily. Several species of leafhoppers are found in cherry orchards, which vary in coloration from green to brown. Leafhoppers suck juices from the leaves of cherries, ornamental plants and weeds. Certain species of leafhoppers are considered serious pests because they can transmit the phytoplasma that causes Western cherry X-disease from infected cherry trees, or various weed species, to healthy cherry trees. Infected trees may produce small misshapen bitter fruit. There is no cure for X-disease and infected trees should be removed to prevent spread.
Biology and life history Varies with the species. Leafhoppers may overwinter as adults, nymphs, or eggs. There may be multiple generations per year. The leafhopper population within the orchard appears to peak after harvest, coincidently this is also when the X disease phytoplasma concentration is greatest within infected trees.
Pest monitoring Place yellow sticky card traps in the cherry canopy during the growing season. Leafhoppers may be present from February through November in some areas. The action threshold remains unknown.
Management-cultural control
Control weeds and alternative hosts such as, clovers, mallow, dandelion, curly dock, bitter cherry, and chokecherry, in and around your orchard.
Management-chemical control: HOME USE
- horticultural mineral oil-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- insecticidal soap-Some formulations OMRI-listed for organic use.
- kaolin-Applied as a spray to leaves, stems, and fruit, it acts as a repellant to target pests. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
Management- chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE
Post-harvest insecticides
- acetamiprid (Assail 70WP) at 1.1 to 2.3 oz/A. REI 12 hr. PHI 7 days.
- carbaryl (Carbaryl 4L) at 1 to 2 lb ai/A (2 to 3 qt/A). REI 12 hr. PHI 3 days.
- esfenvalerate (Asana XL) at 4.8 to 14.5 oz/A. REI 12 hr. PHI 14 days.
- imidacloprid (Prey 1.6F,) at 4 to 8 fl oz/A REI 12 hr. PHI 7 days.
- lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior II) at 1.28 to 2.56 fl oz/A. REI 24 hr. PHI 14 days.
- thiamethoxam (Actara) at 2 to 2.75 oz/A. REI 12 hr. PHI 14 days. Do not exceed 11 oz /A per season. Do not exceed a total of 11.0 oz/Acre (0.172 lb ai/A) of Actara or 0.172 lb ai of thiamethoxam-containing products per acre per growing season.