Fleahopper
From BugwoodWiki
Photo by Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
Description
Fleahoppers are small insects that have piercing-sucking mouthparts. Two important groups of fleahoppers found in Georgia are the cotton fleahopper (Pseudatomoscelis seriatus (Reuter)) and the black or garden fleahopper (Halticus bractatus (Say)). The cotton fleahopper adult is 3-4 mm in length, yellowish-green in color, and has distinctive small black dots covering the upper surface. Nymphs may be very small and appear as all legs and antennae. Nymphs of the cotton fleahopper may appear white to light green in color. The black fleahopper or garden fleahopper adult is dark black in color. Adults are about the same size as the cotton fleahopper. Early instar nymphs will appear light green and progressively darken as they mature to adults.
Hosts
Cotton, vegetables, fruits, clovers, ornamentals as well as most spring, winter, and summer weeds and grasses.
Damage
Photo by Art Cushman, USDA; Property of the Smithsonian Institution, Department of Entomology, Bugwood.org
Fleahoppers are true bugs that feed by piercing the plant with very small mouthparts and sucking out the plant juices. Fleahopper injury is very similar to tarnished plant bug. The damage is most inconspicuous and is not evident to the eye. Damaged plant tissue will often wilt and may abort. In cotton, damaged pinhead squares may show a slight discoloration of the infected anthers. In fruits and vegetables, damage may appear as indented or cat-faced injury. Fleahopper injury is also associated with poor seed germination. This is especially important in seed production systems like cotton, alfalfa, clover and canola. All life stages are capable of causing plant injury.
Life Cycle
Fleahoppers are active and present throughout the year. Both adults and immatures can be found overwintering in trash around field borders. In spring, adults emerge, mate and lay eggs on suitable hosts. Eggs are laid singly in cuts made during feeding in succulent plant tissue. The total period from egg to mature adult takes approximately 15 days during summer. Seven to ten generations may occur annually.
Control
Treat for fleahoppers when bugs are numerous and visible damage is present.
