Origin:
Native to Europe but well established throughout North America.
Biology:
This leafhopper is a pest on shrubs such as privet, photinia, and laurels as well as on members of the rose family (cherry, apple, apricot) and many other ornamental shrubs and trees. Eggs overwinter on the bark of trees and nymphs emerge in the spring.
Identification:
Nymphs are greenish yellow with white mottled markings down the back of the head, thorax, and abdomen. Many long, stiff hairs protrude from the end of the abdomen. Adults are whitish with brown veins on the wings and a brown streak through the middle of the wing. The head is flattened. The wings are held roof-like over the abdomen and come together tightly at the end to have a strongly flattened profile.
Characteristicts Important to Control:
Control can be effective with foliar sprays if the undersides of the leaves can be contacted. A systemic insecticide applied to the soil may be more effective for non-food bearing plants as it moves the active ingredient into the foliage where it is ingested as the hoppers feed. Timing is important, and should concentrate on the arrival of the insects in your area.
