, commonly known as the , is a small, lime-green leafhopper native to North America and a significant agricultural pest. It migrates northward annually from Gulf States to the Midwest and eastern United States, causing damage to over 200 plant . The species feeds on plant sap and injects a toxin that causes 'hopperburn'—characteristic drying, curling, and rotting of plant tissues. Climate warming has been linked to earlier arrival dates (approximately 10 days earlier than in the 1950s) and more severe in warmer years. It completes one to two per year in northern regions like Québec, with peaks occurring in June-July.

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Habitat

Agricultural and natural environments with plants; found in fields, orchards, and areas with alfalfa, potato, bean, and apple . Also occurs on non-agricultural plants including red maple trees.

Distribution

Native to North America. Occurs across the eastern half of the United States, ranging into Canada (Québec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia). Migratory move northward from Gulf States each summer. Also recorded in Central America ( Rica, West Indies) and South America (Argentina, Brazil, British Guiana, Peru, Venezuela).

Seasonality

Migrates northward from Gulf States during spring and summer. In northern regions like Québec, first captures occur from late May to early June, with peaks in June-July and decline by September. Arrival dates have advanced by approximately 10 days since the 1950s due to climate warming.

Diet

Feeds on phloem sap from plant leaves and stems using . plants include potato, alfalfa, green beans, apples, clover, hops, and over 200 other cultivated and wild plant .

Host Associations

  • Solanum tuberosum - primary agricultural namesake plant
  • Medicago sativa - major agricultural key economic pest of alfalfa in North Central and Northeast United States
  • Phaseolus vulgaris - agricultural common bean
  • Malus domestica - agricultural apple
  • Humulus lupulus - agricultural hops, particularly in Vermont craft beer industry
  • Acer rubrum - non-agricultural red maple

Life Cycle

Completes one to two per year in northern regions such as Québec. Nymphs develop through five instars before becoming . Late-instar nymphs possess wing pads and specialized jumping legs. models and CLIMEX modeling indicate suitable climatic conditions for growth begin in April, peak from May to September, and decline by November.

Behavior

Highly migratory; moves northward from areas in Gulf States annually. are tiny, flighty, and difficult to detect visually until damage becomes apparent. Nymphs and adults feed by piercing plant tissues and extracting sap.

Ecological Role

Herbivorous pest causing direct damage to agricultural crops and some native plants. No known significant positive ecological role documented; primarily characterized as an economic pest.

Human Relevance

Major agricultural pest causing millions of dollars in crop losses. Documented yield losses up to $66/ha ($27/acre) in alfalfa. Damage mechanism involves both direct feeding and injection of phytotoxic saliva causing 'hopperburn.' Management requires early-season scouting due to delayed visible development. Climate change is exacerbating pest pressure through earlier arrival and increased severity in warm years.

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