Cotton leafhopper

Systematic position. The cotton leafhopper Chlorita biguttula belongs to the order Hemiptera and the family Cicadellidae. It is a highly mobile, sap-sucking pest that causes significant economic losses in various agricultural sectors, particularly in warmer climates.

Crops affected. This pest primarily attacks cotton, okra, eggplant, tomatoes, and other solanaceous crops. It is also found on wild hosts, which allow the insect to survive and multiply during the off-season when primary crops are not available.

Biology and life cycle. The life cycle comprises the egg, nymph, and adult stages. Development is fast, with several generations occurring per year. Females deposit eggs into the soft tissues of leaves. Weather conditions such as high humidity and moderate temperatures significantly boost population growth rates.

Damage and harmfulness. Leafhoppers feed on plant sap by piercing the leaf veins. This results in stippling, chlorosis, and upward curling of leaf margins, often called "hopper burn." Severe infestations drastically reduce photosynthesis, hinder fruit development, and may result in total yield loss if left unmanaged.

• Implementing crop rotation to break the pest cycle.
• Using resistant plant varieties.
• Monitoring populations with yellow sticky traps.
• Applying systemic insecticides when threshold levels are exceeded.
• Promoting natural enemies like lacewings and ladybirds to regulate numbers.