The vegetable leafhopper (Austroasca viridigrisea) is a sap-sucking insect belonging to the leafhopper family Cicadellidae. It is a significant pest of various crops in Australia, including leafy vegetables, beans, carrots, potatoes, and non-irrigated tomatoes. The species is present across all Australian states and territories, as well as Lord Howe Island.
Size: Approximately 3–4 mm in length.
Color: Green to yellowish-green, with distinctive white markings on the vertex and the front half of the pronotum.
Shape: Broad, rounded head with a tapering body, and clear wings extending beyond the abdomen.
Distinguishing Features: The white spotting on the head and pronotum helps differentiate it from other Austroasca species in Australia.
Adults and nymphs feed on plant sap, injecting a toxin that causes:
Chlorotic speckling or white spotting on leaves.
Distortion and curling of leaves.
Stunting of new growth.
Potential transmission of plant diseases.
These symptoms can lead to reduced crop yields and quality.
Eggs: Laid in plant tissues.
Nymphs: Undergo several instars before maturing into adults.
Adults: Live for a short period, during which they feed and reproduce.
Development rates vary with temperature, with egg stages ranging from 6.4 to 19.1 days, and nymphal stages from 8.8 to 28.4 days, depending on environmental conditions.
Cultural Practices: Maintain healthy crops through proper irrigation and fertilization to reduce stress and susceptibility.
Biological Control: Encourage natural predators such as spiders and predatory beetles.
Chemical Control: Use insecticides judiciously, targeting early instar nymphs to minimize damage.
Monitoring: Employ yellow sticky traps to monitor adult populations and inform control strategies.
For images and further information on Austroasca viridigrisea, you can visit the Atlas of Living Australia or the Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales.
| Austroasca viridigrisea |
The vegetable leafhopper (Austroasca viridigrisea) is a sap-sucking insect belonging to the leafhopper family Cicadellidae. It is a significant pest of various crops in Australia, including leafy vegetables, beans, carrots, potatoes, and non-irrigated tomatoes. The species is present across all Australian states and territories, as well as Lord Howe Island.
Size: Approximately 3–4 mm in length.
Color: Green to yellowish-green, with distinctive white markings on the vertex and the front half of the pronotum.
Shape: Broad, rounded head with a tapering body, and clear wings extending beyond the abdomen.
Distinguishing Features: The white spotting on the head and pronotum helps differentiate it from other Austroasca species in Australia.
Adults and nymphs feed on plant sap, injecting a toxin that causes:
Chlorotic speckling or white spotting on leaves.
Distortion and curling of leaves.
Stunting of new growth.
Potential transmission of plant diseases.
These symptoms can lead to reduced crop yields and quality.
Eggs: Laid in plant tissues.
Nymphs: Undergo several instars before maturing into adults.
Adults: Live for a short period, during which they feed and reproduce.
Development rates vary with temperature, with egg stages ranging from 6.4 to 19.1 days, and nymphal stages from 8.8 to 28.4 days, depending on environmental conditions.
Cultural Practices: Maintain healthy crops through proper irrigation and fertilization to reduce stress and susceptibility.
Biological Control: Encourage natural predators such as spiders and predatory beetles.
Chemical Control: Use insecticides judiciously, targeting early instar nymphs to minimize damage.
Monitoring: Employ yellow sticky traps to monitor adult populations and inform control strategies.
For images and further information on Austroasca viridigrisea, you can visit the Atlas of Living Australia or the Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales.
