Leafhoppers are sap-sucking insects that attack a wide range of plants. One or two won’t cause significant damage, but lots of them can cause leaf yellowing and the overall weakening of the plant.
Description
Leafhoppers are yellowish in colour and around 2-3mm long. As their name suggests, they (the adults) will jump off if their plant home is disturbed. The immature nymphs are creamy-white and crawl. Both nymphs and adults feed on the sap of plants.
Symptoms
Colonies on the underside of leaves will have up to 3 generations present at any 1 time. Leaves will become gradually paler with white surface mottling.
The rhododendron leafhopper is responsible for spreading the fungal disease bud blast, which kills the flower buds.
Treatment and control
Spray with a natural-based insecticide. Pyrethrin (a natural plant extract) based insecticides will control leafhoppers and other plant pests.Spray with a general insecticide. Most broad-spectrum insecticides will control leafhoppers. They kill very quickly on contact and also have a residual effect which lasts for a few weeks.
