Leafhopper

Near Emergence (est.)

Cicadellidae

50 host plants

Last updated

Leafhoppers are small (0.1 to 0.3 inch), wedge-shaped insects that congregate on the undersides of leaves, feeding by piercing plant tissue and sucking sap. Feeding damage causes stippled, yellowed patches on leaves visible on the upper surface. Common on fruit trees and ornamentals, they can cause significant aesthetic impact and occasionally transmit plant diseases.

Monitor ornamental and fruit tree foliage starting in May by examining leaf undersides and checking upper surfaces for stipple. For light populations, a strong water spray dislodges insects. Apply insecticidal soap or horticultural oil targeting insects; repeat every 7 to 10 days. Neem oil applied to undersides can be effective. Maintain plant vigor through appropriate watering.

Quick Reference

Order
Hemiptera
Type
sucking-insect
Host Plants
50
GDD₃₂ Emergence (est.)
2,291

Leafhopper Emergence (est.) typically begins around 2291 GDD₃₂. As of May 13, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1906.2 to 2098.2 GDD₃₂, approximately 193 units before the expected threshold.

Regional Season Tracker

GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of May 13, 2026
Station GDD₃₂ Current Stage Next To Go
Issaquah / East King 2,098 Pre-season Emergence (est.) 193
Kent / Auburn 2,089 Pre-season Emergence (est.) 202
Seattle / UW 2,063 Pre-season Emergence (est.) 228
Olympia / Tumwater 2,025 Pre-season Emergence (est.) 266
Tacoma / Puyallup 1,993 Pre-season Emergence (est.) 298
Bellingham / Whatcom 1,972 Pre-season Emergence (est.) 319
Sequim / Rain Shadow 1,906 Pre-season Emergence (est.) 385
Extrapolated

GDD source: UMD IPMnet Pest Predictive Calendar (Gill & Klick). Base 50°F, mid-Atlantic climate. Converted to GDD₃₂ for Western WA. About GDD₃₂ →

What Damage Looks Like

Leafhoppers are slender, delicate insects about 0.125 inch or less in length. They are distinguishable from other pests due to the habit of the adult hopping or flying to escape danger, and by the ability of nymphs and adults to run forwards, backwards, or sideways easily. Several species of leafhoppers are found in cherry orchards, which vary in coloration from green to brown. Leafhoppers suck juices from the leaves of cherries, ornamental plants and weeds. Certain species of leafhoppers are...

Cultural Controls

  • -cultural control Control weeds and alternative hosts such as, clovers, mallow, dandelion, curly dock, bitter cherry, and chokecherry, in and around your orchard.
  • Management-

Host Plants (50)

Alcea rosea Hollyhock Asimina triloba Common Pawpaw Custard Apple Eucalyptus cinerea Silver Dollar Eucalyptus, Silver Dollar Gum Argyle Apple Malus 'Indian Magic' Indian Magic Crabapple Malus 'Prairifire' Prairifire Crabapple Malus 'Snowdrift' Snowdrift Crabapple Malus atrosanguinea Carmine Crabapple Malus brandywine Brandywine Crabapple Malus floribunda Japanese Flowering Crabapple Malus fusca Pacific Crabapple Malus hupehensis Tea Crabapple Malus pumila Apple Malus robusta Cherry, Crabapple Malus sargentii Sargent Crabapple, Pigmy Crabapple Malus transitoria Transitoria Crabapple Prunus americana Wild Plum American (Red) Plum August Plum, Goose Plum Prunus armeniaca Apricot Prunus avium Sweet Cherry Prunus besseyi Sand Cherry, Western Sand Cherry Prunus blireiana Blireiana Plum Prunus caroliniana Carolina Cherrylaurel American Cherrylaurel Prunus cascade Prunus cascade Prunus cerasifera Cherry, Plum Prunus cistena Purpleleaf Sandcherry Redleaf Sandcherry Cistena Sandcherry Cistena Plum Prunus dream Prunus dream Prunus emarginata Bitter Cherry, Wild Cherry, Quinine Cherry Prunus first Prunus first Prunus fruticosa Steppe Cherry, European Dwarf Ground Cherry, Mongolian Cherry Prunus glandulosa Dwarf Flowering Almond Prunus ilicifolia Hollyleaf Cherry, Holly-leaved Cherry Prunus laurocerasus Cherry, Laurel Prunus lusitanica Portugal Laurel Prunus maackii Amur Chokecherry Amur Cherry, Manchurian Cherry Prunus newport Newport Flowering Plum Prunus okame Okame Flowering Cherry Prunus padus European Birdcherry Common Birdcherry Prunus prostrata Rock Cherry, Mountain Cherry Prunus sargentii Sargent Cherry, Sargent's Cherry Prunus serotina Black Cherry, Rum Cherry Prunus serrula Birchbark Cherry, Paperbark Cherry, Tibetan Cherry Prunus serrulata Japanese Flowering Cherry Prunus snow Prunus snow Prunus subcordata Klamath Plum, Sierra Plum, Pacific Plum Prunus subhirtella Higan Cherry Prunus subhirtella var. autumnalis Autumn Flowering Higan Cherry Prunus tai Prunus tai Prunus virginiana Prunus virginiana Prunus virginiana var. demissa Western Chokecherry Prunus virginiana var. virginiana Common Chokecherry, Eastern Chokecherry Prunus yedoensis Yoshino Cherry, Somei-yoshino Cherry, Tokyo Cherry

Sources & References

Primary: PNW Insect Management Handbook

Data Maturity
Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.