Treehoppers
Treehopper adults are commonly greenish to brown and 0.5-inch long or shorter. They have an expanded
hood covering the body, which may be formed into hornlike projections. Nymphs have numerous spines on
the back of the abdomen, and both immatures and adults jump readily.
Identification of species
Damage
Treehoppers suck plant juices. This feeding damage is slight, although the honeydew produced by treehoppers
supports the growth of sooty mold, which may blacken leaves and twigs when treehoppers become numerous.
Treehoppers injure plants primarily by making numerous small slits or crescentlike punctures in bark where
they lay their eggs. These egg punctures cause bark to appear roughened, and twigs may die back.
Solutions
If treehopper populations were high on deciduous trees the previous season and damage cannot be tolerated,
narrow-range oil can be applied during the dormant season
to kill overwintering eggs. To control species known to feed on many different plants, removing some of
these alternate hosts may reduce treehopper populations feeding on more valued plants. High populations
of nymphs and adults may be reduced by spraying exposed insects with insecticidal
soap or narrow-range oil.
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Oak treehopper adults on coast live oak
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