It has a long proboscis that allows it to burrow deep into the stems and trunks of trees to suck out the nutrient-rich sap. But the real problem comes next. While feeding, it excretes a significant amount of a sugary, sticky substance called honeydew.
You might think honeydew is a good thing. Think again. It’s actually insect vomit. This sticky substance coats your patio furniture, your car, and the ground under the tree with a thick, slimy film. This sugary substance then attracts a fungus called sooty mold. This black, powdery mold grows on the honeydew, smothering the plant’s leaves and depriving them of the light needed for photosynthesis.
The result: in just a few weeks, the leaves of your once-beautiful maple or grapevine can look like they’ve been barbecued. The plant weakens, stops producing fruit, and can eventually die.
How can you identify the spotted leafhopper?
To eliminate them, you need to know how to recognize them. The spotted leafhopper goes through several developmental stages and its appearance varies considerably depending on the season.The damage: a true nightmare for your plants
. The spotted leafhopper doesn’t nibble your leaves. No, its method is far more destructive: it pierces
the rich sap. But the real problem comes next. While feeding, it excretes a massive amount of a sugary, sticky substance called honeydew.
You might think honeydew is a good thing. Think again. It’s veritable insect vomit. This sticky substance coats your garden furniture, your car, and the ground under the tree with a thick, slimy film. This sugary substance then attracts a fungus called sooty mold. This black, powdery mold grows on the honeydew, suffocating the leaves and depriving them of the light necessary for photosynthesis.
The result: in just a few weeks, the leaves of your beautiful maple or grapevine can look like they’ve been barbecued. The plant weakens, stops producing fruit, and can eventually die.
How can you identify the spotted leafhopper?
To get rid of it, you need to know how to identify it. The spotted leafhopper goes through several developmental stages, and its appearance varies considerably depending on the season.
In late spring and early summer, the first nymphs appear. They are tiny, about 6 mm long, wingless, and black with white spots.
Around mid-summer, the older nymphs appear. These are larger, up to 12 mm, wingless, and a bright red with black and white spots.
In late summer and autumn, the adults emerge. They are about 2.5 cm long, and their gray forewings are covered with black spots. In flight, they display their bright red hindwings, speckled with black, with edges that turn white and black.
In autumn and winter, look for egg masses. They look like small, grayish-brown clumps of mud or clay smeared on tree trunks, branches, garden furniture, or stones.
A helpful tip: the adults are known for their sudden and surprising flight. They don’t just buzz; they emit a bright red flash and take off without warning. If you see this red flash in your yard, it’s time to go looking for them.
How to get rid of them: the action plan.
Since this is an invasive species with no natural predators in the United States, it’s up to us to protect our trees and crops. Here’s how to take back control of your yard.
For a few isolated adults or nymphs, the most effective and immediate method is physical removal. Trace a circle around the insect with your foot, then crush it firmly. Crushing it is very effective. Admittedly, this leaves a red stain, so wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Scrape off the egg masses.
If you want to prevent another infestation next year, look for egg masses in late autumn and early spring. Use a plastic scraper or a blunt putty knife to scrape the egg masses off trees, fences, or garden furniture. Place them in a bag filled with hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol to destroy them. Dictionaries and encyclopedias