Leaf Hoppers

Leaf hopper is a broad term for a huge number of varieties. Because of that, size and color are not uniform. The different types are all pretty small, usually between 1/4-1/8 inch, and they have wedge-shaped bodies. They can come in a range of colors such as black, brown, and green, with patterns in brighter colors like red, blue and orange. They also have distinctive spikes on their back legs and often blend in with the leaves.

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The leaf hoppers use their mouths to pierce the plant and inject toxins through their saliva. The plants then begin to wither, curl and turn brown or yellow, almost looking like they’ve been singed with fire, yielding a problem called hopperburn. They can leave white or silvery spots on the plants; they excrete a substance that is sticky and encourages the growth of mold on the plants; and they are able to spread plant diseases. They also lay their eggs inside the plant stems, causing even more damage to the plants.

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To learn more about leaf hoppers or how to get rid of them, check our blog post