5 (1 = rare 5 = annual)

3 (1 = very little damage 5 = plants killed)

Commonly found on red maple (Acer rubrum), wafer ash (Ptelea trifoliata), and burning bush (Euonymous alatus).

Shrub

• Burning Bush, Winged Euonymus (Euonymus alatus)

Tree

• Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
• Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
• Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
• Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
• Thornless Common Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis)

Potato Leafhopper feeds on foliage/shoots. This insect has a stylet (a tube-like mouth part) that it uses to pierce phloem-conducting tissue. The feeding causes cells to tear and break into pieces, whichcan clog the phloem tissue. In addition, the insect releases toxins as it feeds, causing additional injury to the plant. All this damage causes some cells especially along the leaf edges to die (hopperburn). Leaves will be mottled and have brown to black edges. It is common for early red fall color to appear. New leaves and shoots are stunted and deformed in severe cases. This does not cause serious damage to the health of the tree, but will reduce growth.

The insect survives the winter in the Gulf States and is blown north in the spring. Once in Illinois, the insect will go through several generations in a growing season. Eggs are laid in cuts made along the veins on the bottom of leaves. Eggs are also laid in the leaf petiole.

Treat with insecticide when leafhoppers are present, but before leaf curling occurs, to protect new growth.

Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide
The Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide (C1391) provides is written for homeowners and other residents and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations for controlling pests associated with trees, shrubs, turf, flowers, groundcovers, vegetables, fruit, and houses. In addition, you'll find detailed information about integrated pest management, pesticide safety, and pesticide application and calibration techniques. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "C1391").
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Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook
The Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook (ICLT) is written for professional applicators and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations as well as application timing information for all major pests of turf, woody ornamentals and herbaceous ornamentals. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "ICLT").
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U of IL - Distance Diagnosis through Digital Imaging
A free plant, weed, insect and disease identification service available through your local University of Illinois Extension office. Center Educators or State Specialists review & respond to information and digital images submitted by local Extension office personnel. Some samples may require further examination or culture work (nominal fee involved) at the U of IL Plant Clinic.
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U of IL - Plant Clinic
Services include plant and insect identification, diagnosis of disease, insect, weed and chemical injury (chemical injury on field crops only), nematode assays, and help with nutrient related problems, as well as recommendations involving these diagnoses. Microscopic examinations, laboratory culturing, virus assays, and nematode assays are some of the techniques used in the clinic.
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