Poinsettia Solutions PGR Solutions Insect Solutions Disease Solutions Quick Ref. Guide

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Some of the most important leafhopper and sharpshooter species in greenhouse and nursery production include the potato leafhopper, rose leafhopper, aster leafhopper and glassywinged sharpshooter.

Leafhoppers are small sucking insects. Adults are usually quite small, about 1/4–inch long and wedge–shaped – although some are 1/2–inch or more long. Most species feed on phloem or xylem tissue, but some (e.g. potato leafhopper) feed in leaf mesophyll. Damage ranges from leaf stippling and distortion to marginal necrosis (“hopperburn”). Damage from potato leafhoppers can be quite severe on some nursery grown trees. In addition to feeding injury, some species can transmit plant pathogens. The aster leafhopper transmits the phytoplasma causing aster yellows, which affects a wide range of ornamental and vegetable crops. Glassywinged sharpshooters transmit the bacteria which cause the disease called Pierce’s Disease on grapes. This is a quarantine issue for nursery ornamentals producers in California. Sharpshooters feed on xylem tissue.

Leafhopper adult females insert eggs in small groups in leaves or stems. Nymphs and adults are active, moving sideways on the leaf surface. Adults have wings and are capable of flying considerable distances. Potato leafhoppers overwinter as adults near the Gulf coast and migrate to northern states in the spring and summer.

Discus™ – Nursery Insecticide
Apply 25 fluid ounces per 100 gallons as a foliar spray; OR apply 3.4 to 5.6 fluid ounces per 1000 ft2 as a spray to the soil surface, followed by irrigation or rainfall to move the active ingredient to the root zone. Use at least 2 gallons of spray volume per 1000 ft2; OR apply .75–1.5 fluid ounces per inch of trunk diameter (at breast height) or per foot of shrub height. Use a minimum of 10 gallons of water per 1000 ft2 as a drench; OR mix 13 fluid ounces (385 ml) in the appropriate amount of water for drenching containers of different sizes (see label)

Marathon® II – Systemic and Translaminar Insecticide
Apply 1.7 fluid ounces (50 ml) per 100 gallons as a foliar spray; OR mix 1.7 fluid ounces in the appropriate amount of water for drenching containers of different sizes (see label); OR apply 0.1–0.2 fluid ounces per inch of trunk diameter (at breast height) or per foot of shrub height. Use a minimum of 10 gallons of water per 1000 ft2 as a drench. Shake well before use.

Marathon® 60WP in WSP – Systemic Insecticide
Mix one 20 gram packet in the appropriate amount of water for drenching containers of different sizes (see label) OR apply one 20 gram packet per 8 to 16 inches of cumulative trunk diameter (at breast height) or per 8 to 16 feet of cumulative shrub height. Use a minimum of 10 gallons of water per 1000 ft2 as a drench.

Marathon® 1% G – Systemic Insecticide
Marathon® 1% Granular systemic insecticide is applied topically to the growing media or incorporated prior to planting.

See label for application rates for different container sizes; OR Apply 15 ounces per 1000 ft2.

Decathlon™ 20 WP – Synthetic Pyrethroid
Apply 1.9 ounces (54 grams) per 100 gallons as a foliar spray to control leafhopper nymphs and adults. Tank mix with Azatin XL insect growth regulator to improve control of nymphs. Repeat applications at 5–7 day intervals.

Azatin® XL – Insect Growth Regulator
Apply 10 to 16 fluid ounces per 100 gallons to target nymphs. Tank mix with Decathlon 20 WP synthetic pyrethroid to target nymphs and adults. The pH of the spray solution should be maintained between 3 and 7. For best results use a spray adjuvant. Repeat applications at 5–7 day intervals.

Triact® 70 – Clarified Hydrophobic Extract of Neem Oil
Triact 70 is an effective insecticide used as a rotational component of a control program. Mix 1–2 gallons per 100 gallons and apply as a foliar spray. Repeat applications at 7–14 day intervals depending on the severity of infestation. Before mixing, shake well. Mix in water with a temperature greater than 45° F. Avoid contact with open blooms unless you have local experience. Do not apply if temperatures are above 90° F.