Eared leafhopper

The Eared leafhopper (Ledra aurita) is a unique insect species belonging to the family Cicadellidae within the order Hemiptera. It is easily recognized by the distinctive, ear-like projections on its pronotum. This species is characterized by a flattened, mottled brown body, which provides excellent camouflage against tree bark, making it difficult to detect during standard field scouting.

This pest is known to inhabit various broad-leaved trees. In agricultural settings, it frequently targets fruit trees such as apple, pear, and plum, as well as deciduous forest trees like oak and beech. It thrives in established orchards with dense canopy cover, where the microclimate remains stable and conducive to its lifecycle.

The biology of the Eared leafhopper follows a hemimetabolous cycle. Nymphs, which are the overwintering stage, hide within bark crevices or at the junctions of branches. Development progresses through several instars, with adults emerging in the summer months. These insects are nocturnal, spending their days resting motionless on the trunk to avoid detection.

Feeding damage is caused by both nymphs and adults using their piercing-sucking mouthparts to consume sap from tender shoots and branches. This feeding leads to physiological stress in the tree, stunted shoot growth, and a decrease in overall vigor. Furthermore, the feeding wounds create pathways for secondary infections, such as fungi or bacteria, to enter the tree bark.

Management strategies focus on reducing overwintering populations and suppressing active insects. Key actions include:

• Scrubbing loose bark from trunks during winter pruning to eliminate hiding spots.
• Applying sticky bands to trunks to capture migrating nymphs in late spring.
• Targeted insecticide applications if significant infestation levels are identified during the growing season.