Aster leafhopper

Aster leafhopper biology & life cycle

Adults are carried in on southern winds in late May or June. These lay their eggs on cereals and other crops. Eggs hatch in one week and the nymphs feed on the crops for 2-3 weeks. Up to 4 generations per year. Feeding damage occurs by piercing plant tissue and sucking of plant juices. These insects also vector a number of yield reducing viruses and virus-like pathogens.

Identifying Aster leafhopper

Aster leafhopper: larvae

Very small (0.5-3 mm) with markings like those of adult; yellow to light brown.

Aster leafhopper: adult

Small (4 mm), yellowish-green, with six black spots arranged in pairs on the front of the head. Forewings are smoky and look like a "roof" overtop of the insect's body. Adults will readily jump and fly..

^{Photo credits to Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org}

Aster leafhopper: management

Aster leafhoppers may be monitored with yellow sticky traps. Monitoring shoud begin early in the spring. Capture of leafhoppers serves as an indication of the potential for disease problems that are carried by the insect.