Sugarbeet Leafhopper Reference Page
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Sugarbeet Leafhopper Reference Page
Common and
scientific names: Sugarbeet Leafhopper (Circullifer tenellus)
DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST
The beet leafhopper is approximately 0.125 inches long, wedge shaped, and pale green to gray or brown in color. It may have dark markings on the upper surface of the body. It may be distinguished from Empoasca leafhoppers by its darker markings; Empoasca leafhoppers are a uniform green color. Beet leafhopper overwinters on rangeland weeds and migrates to sugarbeet and other crops in spring as its overwintering hosts die.
DAMAGE
Direct feeding by beet leafhopper
causes relatively minor damage. Its pest status derives from its transmission of
beet curly top
virus [79K]. Beet curly top virus is an extremely destructive disease of
sugarbeet as well as other crops, e.g., tomatoes. The leaves of plants infected
with this virus are dwarfed, crinkled, and rolled upward and inward. Veins are
roughened and often swollen. Roots become distorted, often with a proliferation
of hair roots (not to be confused with Rhizomania). Phloem tissue often becomes
necrotic and appears as dark rings in cross sections or dark streaks in
longitudinal sections of the root.
Source: UC
Pest Management Guidelines; Sugarbeet Leafhopper
Integrated Pest Management Information:
2002 PNW Insect Management Handbook Control Measures
UC
Pest Management Guidelines; Sugarbeet Leafhopper
Updated May 17, 2002-jn