Leafhopper: How to get rid of it?

this insect Many people invite themselves to surround themselves with plants in their gardens. Some are helpful auxiliary factors that we try to attract, others are the opposite. harmfulsuch as leafhoppers.

What are leafhoppers?

Originally from North America, cicada It is a small-winged insect of the order Hemiptera in the family Cicadidae. It is gray, white, green or light brown in color.

She looks like some kind of Mites or small grasshopper. Depending on the species, it can be up to 1.5 cm in length. It can jump and fly to avoid possible predators. It often seeks shelter Leavesunder the shade of the trees.

Are leafhoppers pests?

Leafhoppers are considered Parasites In the garden, because its diet is sap plants. As soon as it attacks the latter, their growth slows down, their appearance loses its luster, fades, dries up. It is also possible to notice light spots due to the perforations made to access the sap. The development of the plant also slows down due to the inoculation of the leafhopper with salivary toxins through its vacuum tubes (rostrum). As a result, it leaves behind a white foam, which is honeydew (or “spit”). cuckoo), on the stems or leaves.

This piercing-sucking insect may also be a vector of bacteria or cryptic diseases, e.g. Fumagine.

Why are there leafhoppers in my garden?

From the moment a plant appears, whether it is an ornamental plant, shrub, vegetable plant or herb rattanleafhoppers may appear. More optimistic Just like in Raspberry BushOnly the softwoods were spared.

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How to prevent and control leafhoppers?

As a preventive measure, you can install insecticidal plants, e.g. Petunia or Geranium Discourage leafhoppers from getting too close to other plants.

Tools can be used to cut off the infected parts, and they should be disinfected after use to avoid contaminating other plants.

To remove “cuckoo spit”, it is enough to spray the infected area with strong water, while reducing the chances of survival of the larvae.

Additionally, there are some natural ways to combat leafhoppers when the damage is not yet too severe:

• Decoctions based on any of the following Black Soapor from Purine d’nettleof Lavenderyou can spray the attacked plants with pyrethrum or neem oil. This operation must be repeated two to four times a month until the unwanted host completely disappears from both sides of the leaves.
• At the level of the leaves, you can install yellow spots, a color that attracts their attention, so that they will get stuck and will not be able to suck the juice.
• You can also summon a leafhopper predator, ladybug or birds Insectivore.
• In addition, you can hire professionals to integrate the presence of Hymenoptera into your ecosystem (Blight bugfrom the family Xeraceae), Feeds on leafhopper larvae. Experts ensure that predators do not become pests in turn.