1. Insect
  2. Vegetable Crops
  3. Vegetable Crops
  4. Hosts and Pests of Vegetable Crops

Carrot-Sixspotted leafhopper

  • Facebook logo
Image related to Carrot-Sixspotted leafhopper
Aster leafhopper
Macrosteles fascifrons Stal
Adult
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection
Image related to Carrot-Sixspotted leafhopper
Aster leafhopper
Macrosteles fascifrons Stal
Showing damage on leaves
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection

Macrosteles fascifrons

Pest description and crop damage The sixspotted leafhopper also is known as the aster leafhopper. It is about 0.19 inch long, narrow, wedge-shaped, with a beak, tiny antennae, and long hind legs fringed with hairs. It is yellow or yellow-green with six black spots arranged in three rows on its head. Eggs are translucent at first but soon turn white. Adults are relatively poor fliers and tend to glide along with wind currents. Nymphs resemble a wingless adult but are much smaller, ranging in size from 0.03 to 0.12 inch long. They often can be distinguished by their unique sideways scuttle when disturbed. Young larvae are white but soon become yellow with brown markings.

Feeding damage causes a yellow, speckled appearance. This is usually minor. The sixspotted leafhopper is the primary vector of aster yellows phytoplasma (AYP), a serious virus-like plant disease in the Pacific Northwest. Aster yellows infection prior to bulking of the carrot root causes root proliferation which is a problem for carrots destined for processing plants.

Biology and life history The sixspotted leafhopper overwinters as an egg in northern locations and in the adult stage in warmer climates. It undergoes a series of five nymph stages before reaching adulthood. Each generation requires 27 to 34 days to complete. There are three to four generations each year.

Pest monitoring Leafhoppers easily are collected with sweep nets. Yellow sticky traps also are useful.

Management-cultural control

Mulches of aluminum foil and straw can help reduce disease incidence. Row covers also can be used on higher value crops. Destruction of weed species known to harbor aster yellows is also important.

Management-chemical control: HOME USE

  • azadirachtin (neem oil)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • bifenthrin (often as a mix with zeta-cypermethrin).
  • carbaryl
  • cyfluthrin
  • deltamethrin
  • esfenvalerate
  • imidacloprid
  • insecticidal soap-Some formulations OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • kaolin-When applied to foliage, it acts as a repellent to some insect pests. Some formulations OMRI-listed for organic use. Not listed for home use in OR.
  • malathion
  • plant-derived essential oils (clove, rosemary, etc.)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • pyrethrins (often combined with other ingredients)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • spinosad
  • zeta-cypermethrin

Management-chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE

  • beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid XL, Tombstone Helios) at 0.013 to 0.022 lb ai/A. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.11 lb ai/A or five applications per season.
  • carbaryl (Sevin XLR Plus) at 0.5 to 1 lb ai/A. PHI 7 day. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 5 lb ai/A per crop or five applications per year. Retreatment interval 7 days.
  • esfenvalerate (Asana XL) at 0.03 to 0.05 lb ai/A. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. See label for ground versus aerial application restrictions. Do not exceed 0.5 lb ai/A per year.
  • flupyradifurone (Sivanto 200 SL) at 7 to 10.5 fl oz/A. PHI 21 days. REI 4 hr. Do not exceed 0.365 lb ai/A per year. Minimum of 10 days between successive applications.
  • imidacloprid (Admire Pro) at 0.156 to 0.375 lb ai/A or 0.011 to 0.027 lb ai/1,000 row feet. Soil application only. PHI 21 days. REI 12 hr. One treatment per season only. Do not exceed 0.38 lb ai/A.
  • imidacloprid (Prey 1.6) at 0.044 lb ai/A. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed three treatments per season.
  • malathion (Numerous Products) at 1.25 lb ai/A (see label). PHI 7 days. REI 12 - 24 hr.
  • methomyl (Lannate SP) at 0.45 to 0.9 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. REI 48 hr. Not more than 10 applications or 6.3 lb ai/A per year.
  • sulfoxaflor (Transform WG) at 1.5 to 2.75 oz/A. Do not exceed 8.5 oz/A. PHI 7 days. REI 24 hr. If blooming vegetation is present 12 out from the downwind edge of the field, a 12 foot in-field down wind buffer must be observed. Not for use on seed crops.
  • thiamethoxam (Actara) at 0.023 to 0.047 lb ai/A. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.125 lb ai/A per year. Retreatment interval 7 days.
  • thiamethoxam (Platinum) at 0.078 to 0.188 lb ai/A soil applied. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.188 lb ai/A per season.
  • zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang) at 0.022 to 0.05 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.3 lb ai/A per year. Do not use tops for feed or fodder.