Two-spot Cotton Leafhopper Pest Alert

A new pest has been found in the Tampa Bay area that might affect your nursery plants. 

photo credit -USDA by Nisael J. Nieves López;

Pest Alert: Two-Spot Cotton Leafhopper

The two-spot cotton leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula), a significant pest of cotton, okra, and eggplant, has recently established itself in the Caribbean Basin. This pest, also known as the “cotton jassid” or “okra leafhopper,” was first detected in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in the spring of 2023.

Photo by Daphne Zapsas, USDA-APHIS-PPQ, Biological Science Laboratory Technician, Miami, FL.

Description and Damage: The two-spot cotton leafhopper is a tiny green insect with distinctive dark spots on its wings and sometimes on its head. These pests feed on the lower surface of leaves, causing a condition known as “hopperburn,” which leads to yellowing, reddening, browning, wilting, and curling of leaves. The damage can be extensive, with yield losses exceeding 50% in some crops.

Photo by Alondra Nieves, graduate student, UPRM, PR.

Photo by Brittany Atkinson, Manatee County Community Gardens Program

Hosts and Economic Importance: This pest affects a variety of crops, including cotton, okra, eggplant, sunflowers, and roselle. However, it also poses a threat to ornamental plants, particularly certain cultivars of hibiscus. While some hibiscus varieties may only be lightly colonized, others can suffer extensive damage, impacting their aesthetic value and health.  This pest also feeds on marigolds in the Asteraceae family, mulberry in the Moraceae family, as well as some members of the grass family. 

Distribution and Action: The two-spot cotton leafhopper is native to the Indian Subcontinent but has spread to the Caribbean and several Florida counties. If large numbers of leafhoppers are found, samples should be sent to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for identification.

Conclusion: The establishment of the two-spot cotton leafhopper in the Caribbean and Florida poses a significant threat to both agricultural and ornamental plants. Early detection and proper management are crucial to mitigate the impact of this pest.

For more information or to report sightings, contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at DPIHelpline@FDACS.gov or 1-888-397-1515

References :

USDA APHIS, 2023.  Amrasca biguttula (Ishida) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Indian cotton leafhopper.  Amrasca biguttula 18x24 PPQ.pdf

FDACS  DPI, 2023.  Two-spot cotton leafhopper, Hemiptera: Cicadellidae, Typhlocybinae, Empoascini; Amrasca biguttula (Ishida) – A serious pest of cotton, okra and eggplant that has become established in the Caribbean Basin.  PEST ALERT: Two-spot cotton leafhopper

Ag Producers of Hillsborough and Polk Counties Hurricane Relief Information

 Ag Producers -- Please see the relevant resources that may be available to assist with hurricane damage and recovery.

Report farm damages or crop/livestock losses to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Farm Service Agency (FSA), even if you are not currently enrolled in an FSA program. Information reported to the USDA FSA is used to determine eligibility for agricultural disaster declarations.

FSA  SERVICE CENTER OFFICE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FARM SERVICE AGENCY 201 S COLLINS ST STE 201 PLANT CITY, FL 33563 (800) 243-9912 (813) 752-1474 ext 2 (855) 563-2113 Fax Mailing Address: 201 S COLLINS ST,SUITE 201 PLANT CITY, FL 33563-5567

FSA  SERVICE CENTER OFFICE POLK COUNTY FARM SERVICE AGENCY 1700 HWY 17 S BARTOW, FL 33830 (800) 243-9912 (863) 533-2051 ext 2 (855) 475-8047 Fax Mailing Address: 1700 HWY 17 S STE 1 BARTOW, FL 33830-6630 Marcinda Kester County Executive Director (863) 533-2051 (855) 475-8047 fax marcinda.kester@usda.gov BRONWYN D BETHEA-ROWLAND Farm Loan Manager (813) 752-1474 x 2 bronwyn.bethearowland@usda.gov

Hillsborough County Damage Assessment - Hillsborough County property owners can use the form to report property loss or storm damages to the County by visiting HCFL.gov/DamageAssessment.

UF/IFAS Disaster Assessment Survey. This survey is used to estimate the state- and later county-level production losses for agricultural operations in Florida and results are communicated to state and federal agencies to inform their decision-making processes. Please report for the appropriate Hurricane

Hurricane Helene - go.ufl.edu/heleneagimpacts

Hurricane Milton - http://go.ufl.edu/MiltonAgImpacts

Use this USDA Tool to determine which program might apply to you Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool | Farmers.gov

Investigate agricultural disaster assistance programs that might be available through agencies such as:

•      USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Farm Service Agency Emergency Loans Available – Click Here

•      USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)

•      USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA)

•      Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)

Emergency Livestock Assistance - To request critical assistance for your livestock and animals in urgent need, please access and complete the form then send to DAIOPSAssessment@FDACS.gov or call 863-993-5460 Form Link - https://forms.fdacs.gov/09027.pdf

FDACS Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program - Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by Hurricane Helene can now apply for interest-free loans through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program.

    Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program - Provides short-term, zero-interest working capital loans that are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer term recovery funding https://floridacommerce.my.site.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund/s/

For more resources of Disaster Preparation, Response and Recovery, visit the following sources:

•      UF/IFAS Disaster Preparation & Recovery

•      Florida Extension Disaster Education Network

•      Florida Farm Bureau Helene Resources

•      Farm Bureau Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund - https://floridafarmbureau.org/hurricane-relief-fund-for- agriculture/