How to Manage Pests
UC Pest Management Guidelines
Sugarbeet
Beet Leafhopper
Scientific name: Circulifer tenellus
(Reviewed 11/05,
updated 1/10)
In this Guideline:
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The beet leafhopper is approximately 0.125 inches long, wedge
shaped, and pale green to gray or brown in color. It may have dark markings on
the upper surface of the body. It can be distinguished from Empoasca
leafhoppers by its darker markings; Empoasca leafhoppers are a uniform green color. Beet
leafhopper overwinters on rangeland weeds and migrates to sugarbeet and other
crops in spring as its overwintering hosts die.
Direct feeding by beet leafhopper causes relatively minor damage.
Its pest status derives from its transmission of Beet curly top virus and other related
viruses. Beet curly top virus is an extremely destructive disease of
sugarbeet as well as other crops (e.g., tomatoes). The leaves of plants
infected with this virus are dwarfed, crinkled, and rolled upward and inward.
Veins are roughened and often swollen. Roots become distorted, often with a
proliferation of hair roots (not to be confused with Rhizomania). Phloem tissue
often becomes necrotic and appears as dark
rings in cross sections or dark streaks in longitudinal sections of the root.
Weed control in areas surrounding the field can help reduce sources
of Beet curly top virus inoculum.
Cultural Control
Removal of weeds and volunteer beets surrounding sugarbeet fields
can play an important role in reducing sources of inoculum available to
migrating leafhoppers.
Monitoring and Treatment Decisions
Foliar insecticides have not proven to be generally effective in controlling
beet leafhopper and reducing the incidence of Beet curly top virus when applied directly to the sugarbeet crop.
Occasionally systemic insecticides have proven valuable in reducing the
incidence of this virus. The effectiveness of these materials depends on the
climatic factors affecting weed hosts of the leafhopper and the virus, timing
of planting and application of materials relative to leafhopper migration, and
proximity of fields to leafhopper/virus overwintering sites.
| Common name |
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R.E.I.+ |
P.H.I.+ |
(trade name)
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Amount/Acre |
(hours)
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(days)
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| When choosing a pesticide, consider
information relating to natural
enemies and honey bees as
well as the environmental impact. Not all registered pesticides are listed.
Always read label of product being used.
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| A. |
PHORATE* |
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(Thimet) 20G |
4.5 oz/1000 row ft |
72 |
30–at planting |
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or 4.9–7.4 lb |
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30–postemergence |
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MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1B |
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COMMENTS: Has been successful in reducing damage from Beet curly top virus in research
settings, but efficacy under field conditions cannot be guaranteed. Do not
place phorate granules in direct contact with seed. Do not feed tops or
silage to dairy cattle. Place granules to the side of seed or in a band over the row. Do not apply by air or make more than one applications/season. |
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UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Sugarbeet
UC ANR Publication 3469
Insects and Mites
E.T. Natwick, UC Cooperative
Extension Imperial Co.
Acknowledgement for contributions to Insects and Mites:
C. G. Summers, Entomology, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
D. R. Haviland, UC IPM Program, Kern Co.
L. D. Godfrey, Entomology, UC Davis
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