HPIPM:Lettuce Aster Leafhopper

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Author: Whitney S. Cranshaw

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Subphylum	Hexapoda
Class	Insecta
Subclass	Pterygota
Infraclass	Neoptera
Superorder	Paraneoptera
Order	Hemiptera
Suborder	Auchenorrhyncha
Infraorder	Cicadomorpha
Superfamily	Membracoidea
Family	Cicadellidae
Subfamily	Deltocephalinae
Tribe	Macrostelini
Genus	Macrosteles

Scientific Name

Macrosteles quadrilineatus

Common Name

aster leafhopper

Identification (and life cycle/seasonal history)

Aster leafhoppers are small (1/8 inch long) narrow bodied bugs which feed by sucking plant sap. They do not survive the winters in our region, but fly northward in spring and early summer from the southern U.S. Once in the field, eggs are laid in the stems and leaves of many plant families, including many cultivated crop plants and flowers. Two or three generations are produced during the growing season.

Aster yellow disease is caused by a mycoplasma which is transmitted by the leafhopper, The disease organism must circulate in the leafhopper's body to its salivary glands before it is able to be transmitted. Once infected, a leafhopper can transmit the disease for the rest of its life. Only a small percentage (typically less than three percent) of the leafhopper population carries the disease organism

Plant Response and Damage

Head lettuce is particularly susceptible to aster yellows, but leafhoppers which do not carry the disease cause negligible damage by their feeding. Infected plants' new growth is twisted and fails to form a head. Young plants may be killed by the disease, while older plants may only show mild symptoms. Peak infection tend to peak in late July and August.

Management Approaches

Host Plant Resistance

Leaf lettuce is much less susceptible to aster yellows than head lettuce. However, no resistant varieties of lettuce have been developed.

Chemical control

Leafhoppers can be controlled to minimize disease. In years when the infected population of leafhoppers is high, insecticides may need to be applied at intervals of less than once a week, at or near the maximum rates, to adequately control the leafhopper.

Product List for Aster Leafhopper:

Insecticide	Product per Acre	Preharvest Interval, remarks
Ambush 25W^R, Pounce 25W^R	6.4-12.8 fl oz	(1 day)
Pounce 3.2E^R	4-8 fl oz	Pounce and Ambush are pyrethroid insecticides (permethrin).
Ambush 2E^R	6.4-12.8 oz	Extremely toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms.
Cygon 400, Dimethoate 400	0.5 Pt	(7 days). Four day reentry interval
Dimethoate 267	0.75 Pt	Systemic insecticide. Organophosphate insecticide (dimethoate). Do not store below 45 degrees.
Orthene 75S	0.7-1.3 lb	(21 days) Organophosphate insecticide (acephate). Has systemic activity. Do not feed trimmings to livestock.
Ammo WSB^R1	1-2 bags/acre	5 days. Pyrethroid insecticide. Maximum 0.6 lb (AI)/acre per season. Registered for head lettuce only.
Ammo 2.5EC^R1	(WSB) 2.5-5.0 fl oz (2.5EC)
Mustang 1.5EW^R1	2.39-4.26 fl oz	5 days. Pyrethroid insecticide. Maximum 0.3 lb (AI)/acre per season. Registered for head lettuce only.
^RRestricted Use Product. ¹ Labeled for chemigation.

The information herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and that listing of commercial products, necessary to this guide, implies no endorsement by the authors or the Extension Services of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. Criticism of products or equipment not listed is neither implied nor intended. Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the Extension Services can assume no liability for the suggested use of chemicals contained herein. Pesticides must be applied legally complying with all label directions and precautions on the pesticide container and any supplemental labeling and rules of state and federal pesticide regulatory agencies. State rules and regulations and special pesticide use allowances may vary from state to state: contact your State Department of Agriculture for the rules, regulations and allowances applicable in your state and locality.