Potato Leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harr.)

This insect frequently is found in legumes, especially alfalfa but seldom builds up in number sufficient to cause severe damage. It is a wedge-shaped,pale greenish yellow insect about 1/8 inch long when full grown. The female deposits eggs in the petioles and in the larger veins of the leaves. The period from egg to adult under favorable conditions is about 3 weeks. Both adults and nymphs are extremely active and feed on the petioles and lower surface of leaves by sucking the sap from the plant. Severe attacks by these insects cause the plants to wilt. Other species of leafhoppers are found on variousforage crops.