POTATO LEAFHOPPER 
 
 a, Adult leafhopper; b, nymphs (or young leafhoppers) ; c, part of a 
 potato plant showing hopperburn injury caused by the feeding of 
 leafhoppers, the upper surface of the leaves showing the typical 
 upcurled brown tips and margins, (a and b about 14 times natural 
 size; c about three-fourths natural size.) 
 
 (See other siJe for life history an J control) 
 
 Bureau of Entomok>gy and Plant Quarantine 
 States Department of Agriculture 
 
 Picture Sheet No. 8 
 
POTATO LEAFHOPPER 
 
 Empoasca fabae (Harr.)) 
 
 Injury and Life I [istory 
 
 The potato leafhopper is one of the most important insect enemies 
 of the potato in the Eastern States. In addition to potato, how 
 many other kinds of plants are attacked by it. The young forms, 
 kno\\ n as aymphs, as Wei] as the adults, feed by SUCking the plant juices. 
 On potato plants their feeding causes a diseased condition called hopper- 
 burn, which results in serious losses. 
 
 Adults of the potato leafhopper appear each year in the North in 
 April or May. and, since they have never been found during the winter 
 m the North, it is supposed that they migrate from the South. During 
 the early part of June they move in large Dumbers to potato fields. 
 Eggs are deposited in the tissue of the potato plant. In about a week 
 these eggs hatch into windless nymphs, which feed upon the under 
 surface of the leaves. The nymphs pass through live stages and 
 become winged adults in from 10 to 14 days. Under normal condi- 
 tions these adults begin egg laying- in 5 or 6 days after maturing. The 
 period from egg to vgg is approximately 1 month. 
 
 Control 
 
 To control the leafhopper and prevent hopperburn, spray with 
 bordeaux mixture (4-6-50 formula). This is prepared with 4 pounds 
 of copper sulfate 4 (blucstone), 6 pounds of high-grade hydrated lime, 
 and 50 gallons of water. Dissolve 1 the copper sulfate 1 in a wooden or 
 earthenware vessel by suspending the crystals just below the surface 
 of the 1 water. Dilute with one-half the water in the spray tank (25 
 gallons in this case). Mix the lime with a small quantity of water, 
 and then add the other half of the water (25 gallons). Pour this into 
 the copper sulfate solution and mix thoroughly. For more detailed 
 instructions, refer to your county agent, State experiment station, or 
 the United States Department of Agriculture. Dry bordeaux mix- 
 ture, which requires only the addition of water, may be purchased in 
 convenient packages, but the fresh-mixed spray described is more 
 satisfactory. 
 
 Copper-lime dust may be used, but it is not so effective as the spray. 
 To prepare the dust, place 1 pound of monohydrated copper sulfate 
 and 4 pounds of hydrated lime in a drum that can be tightly closed, 
 then roll the drum on the ground for at least 5 minutes, tilting it on 
 end at frequent intervals. Heady-mixed copper-lime dusts can be 
 obtained from insecticide dealers. 
 
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