University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

June 15, 2007

Managing Potato Leafhoppers In Alfalfa

Figure 1. Adult and nymph potato leafhopper.
Potato leafhoppers have the potential to hurt alfalfa in Nebraska every year. This is generally a second and third cutting pest and has been common in Nebraska recently. Southerly winds bring this insect into Nebraska, as is does not overwinter here. There have been a lot of strong southerly winds the last couple of weeks, so it is likely that we have potato leafhoppers in the state. Producers are urged to begin scouting.

These small (1/8 inch long), bright green, wedge shaped insects (Figure 1) may cause severe damage to alfalfa by injecting a toxin into the plant as they feed. This feeding results in a distinctive yellow or purple triangle shape at the tip of the leaf. First year spring-planted alfalfa fields are particularly attractive to and vulnerable to potato leafhoppers, as are fields planted last year. In older fields, these insects are usually a problem on second and third cuttings. Newly developed resistant varieties will protect from potato leafhoppers fairly well, but alfalfa in the seedling stage may still be damaged. All fields should still be scouted, as large numbers of leafhoppers may still cause a problem, even in resistant variety fields.

Management

Treatment decisions are based on numbers captured by sweep net. A sweep net is the only reliable way to scout for potato leafhoppers. See Tables 1-3 for decision-making help. Note that you don't need a lot of leafhoppers to cause a problem.

Many insecticides are registered for control, and all with provide good results when applied properly. If possible, refer to the UNL Department of Entomology Web site at http://entomology.unl.edu/instabls/ for a list of suggested insecticides.

Keith Jarvi
Extension IPM
Northeast REC, Norfolk

Table 1. Dynamic treatment thresholds for potato leafhoppers (average number per sweep) on alfalfa that is 1 to 4 inches tall.
Value of hay (per ton)
Cost of insecticide application (per acre)
$ 60
$8
$10
$12
$14
$16
$20
$ 80
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
1.0
$100
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.5
0.6
0.75
$120
0.25
0.3
0.4
0.4
0.5
0.6
$140
0.2
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.3
0.4
$160
0.15
0.2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.4 0
             
Table 2. Dynamic treatment thresholds for potato leafhoppers (average number per sweep) on alfalfa that is 4 to 8 inches tall.
Value of hay (per ton)
Cost of insecticide application (per acre)
 
$8
$10
$12
$14
$16
$20
$ 60
0.7
0.8
1.0
1.0
1.3
1.7
$ 80
0.6
0.6
0.75
0.9
1.0
1.3
$100
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
1.0
$120
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
$140
0.3
0.35
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
$160
0.25
0.3
0.4
0.4
0.5
0.6
             
Table 3. Dynamic treatment thresholds for potato leafhoppers (average number per sweep) on alfalfa that is 8 to 12 inches tall.
Value of hay (per ton)
Cost of insecticide application (per acre)
 
$8
$10
$12
$14
$16
$20
$ 60
2.0
2.4
2.8
3.0
3.9
5.0
$ 80
1.8
1.9
2.2
2.7
3.0
4.0
$100
1.2
1.5
1.8
2.1
2.4
3.0
$120
0.9
1.2
1.5
1.8
2.1
2.4
$140
0.9
1.0
1.2
1.5
1.8
2.0
$160
0.8
0.9
1.0
1.2
1.5
1.8

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© 2007 by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. All rights reserved.
Published by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperating with the counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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