Damage: Beet leafhoppers (BLHs) are important pests of potato because they can transmit a phytoplasma (BLTVA) that causes purple top disease. Since BLHs are transient, or pass-through pests of potatoes, they may be gone by the time you see purple top symptoms. So, it is important to monitor BLHs as their populations develop and move through the region.
Control: BLH numbers usually peak in June. Insecticides targeting BLHs are usually applied May to June, and sometimes July. They are not usually warranted later in the season regardless of BLH numbers.
Scientific Name:
Circulifer tenellus
Type:
Insects & Mites
Photos
Beet leafhopper (photo by A.C. Magyarosy, Bugwood.org).
A potato plant with purple top disease (photo by Carrie Wohleb, WSU).
Control Options for Beet Leafhopper on Potatoes
| Material | Application per Acre | REI | PHI | MOA | Eff. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
imidacloprid (Admire Pro (seed treatment)) |
See Label | - | - | 4A | G | Should provide some early season control, but it may work too slowly to prevent rapid spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top disease) when BLH numbers are high. Apply at 0.17-0.35 fl oz/100 lb seed. |
|
clothianidin (Belay (seed treatment)) |
See Label | - | - | 4A | G | Should provide some early season control, but it may work too slowly to prevent rapid spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top disease) when BLH numbers are high. Apply at 0.4-0.6 fl oz/100 lb seed. |
|
thiamethoxam + fludioxonil + difenoconazole (Cruiser Maxx Potato Extreme) |
0.31 fl oz/100 lb seed | 12 h | - | IRAC 4A; FRAC 12, 3 | G-F | This product should provide some early season control, but it may work too slowly to prevent the rapid spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top disease) when BLH numbers are high. Watch the Contour Maps in the Potato DAS weekly to monitor regional BLH population densities. |
|
thiamethoxam + fludioxonil (Cruiser Maxx Potato Insecticide and Fungicide) |
See Label | 12 h | - | IRAC 4A; FRAC 12 | G | Should provide some early season control. It may work too slowly to prevent rapid spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top disease) when BLH numbers are high. |
|
thiamethoxam + fludioxonil + difenoconazole + sedaxane (Cruiser Maxx Vibrance Potato) |
0.5 fl oz/100 lb seed | 12 h | - | IRAC 4A; FRAC 12, 3, 7 | G-F | This product should provide some early season control, but it may work too slowly to prevent the rapid spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top disease) when BLH numbers are high. Watch the Contour Maps in the Potato DAS weekly to monitor regional BLH population densities. |
| Material | Application per Acre | REI | PHI | MOA | Eff. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
imidacloprid (Admire Pro (soil application)) |
5.7-8.7 fl oz | 12 h | - | 4A | G | Should provide some early season control, but it may work too slowly to prevent rapid spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top disease) when BLH numbers are high. Watch the Contour Maps in the Potato DAS every week to monitor regional BLH population densities. |
|
clothianidin (Belay (soil application)) |
9-12 fl oz | 12 h | - | 4A | G | Should provide some early season control, but it may work too slowly to prevent rapid spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top disease) when BLH numbers are high. |
|
thiamethoxam (Platinum 75 SG) |
1.66-2.67 oz | 12 h | - | 4A | G | It should provide some early season control, but it may work too slowly to prevent rapid spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top) when BLH numbers are high. Watch the Contour Maps in the Potato DAS every week to monitor regional BLH population densities. |
| Material | Application per Acre | REI | PHI | MOA | Eff. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
thiamethoxam (Actara) |
1.5-3 oz | 12 h | 14 d | 4A | E | Apply when BLHs are present to minimize spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top). |
|
imidacloprid (Admire Pro (foliar)) |
1.3 fl oz | 12 h | 7 d | 4A | G-F | Apply to foliage when BLHs are present to minimize spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top). |
|
esfenvalerate (Asana XL) |
2.9-5.8 fl oz | 12 h | 7 d | 3 | G | Apply in May and/or early-to-mid June if BLH populations are building. |
|
acetamiprid (Assail 70WP) |
0.6-1.7 oz | 12 h | 7 d | 4A | E | Apply when BLHs are present to minimize spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top). Retreat after 7-10 days to maintain control of incoming BLHs. |
|
azadirachtin (Aza-Direct) |
1-3.5 pt | 4 h | 0 d | NC | ND | Apply when leafhoppers first appear. It may work too slowly to limit spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top). |
|
beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid XL) |
0.8-1.6 fl oz | 12 h | 0 d | 3 | G | Apply in May and/or early-to-mid June if BLH populations are building. |
|
bifenthrin + imidacloprid (Brigadier) |
3.8-6.14 fl oz | 12 h | 21 d | 3, 4A | G | Apply in May and June to minimize spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top) if BLH populations are building. |
|
dimethoate (Dimethoate 400 EC) |
0.5-1.0 pt | 48 h | 0 d | 1B | P | It will control BLHs on contact but is not recommended because it provides only a few days of residual control. Products with longer residual activity are more cost-effective for maintaining control of BLH during their migration periods and limiting spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top). |
|
phosmet (Imidan 70-W) |
1.33 lb | 5 d | 7 d | 1B | P | It will control BLHs on contact but is not recommended for this pest because residues last only a few days. Products with longer residual activity are better for maintaining control of BLH during their migration periods and limiting spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top). |
|
methomyl (Lannate LV) |
1.5-3.0 pt | 48 h | 6 d | 1A | P | It will control BLHs on contact but is not recommended for this pest because it provides only 5-7 days of residual control. Products with longer residual activity are more cost-effective for maintaining control of BLH during their migration periods and limiting spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top). |
|
beta-cyfluthrin + imidacloprid (Leverage 360) |
2.8 fl oz | 12 h | 7 d | 3, 4 | G | Apply in May and/or early-to-mid June if BLH populations are building. |
|
zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang Maxx) |
1.76-4.0 fl oz | 12 h | 1 d | 3 | G | Apply in May and/or early-to-mid June if BLH populations are building. |
|
azadirachtin (Neemix 4.5 IGR) |
7-16 fl oz | 4 h | 0 d | NC | ND | Apply when beet leafhoppers first appear. It may work too slowly to limit spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top). |
|
flupyradifurone (Sivanto 200 SL) |
7-10.5 fl oz | 4 h | 7 d | 4D | E | Early-to-mid season application will cover many migrating pests, including BLHs. Watch the Contour Maps in the Potato DAS every week to monitor regional BLH population densities. |
|
sulfoxaflor (Transform WG) |
1.5-2.25 oz | 24 h | 7 d | 4C | E | Early-to-mid season application will cover many migrating pests, including BLHs. Watch the Contour Maps in the Potato DAS every week to monitor regional BLH population densities. |
|
oxamyl (Vydate C-LV) |
1.1-2.1 pt | 48 h | 7 d | 1A | G | Apply when BLH populations are increasing. Re-treat after 14-days to maintain control of migrating BLHs. Making 3-4 applications late May to early July has been observed to control BLHs and prevent transmission of purple top disease. Later applications are not usually warranted. |
|
lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior II) |
0.96-1.6 fl oz | 24 h | 7 d | 3 | G | Apply in May and June to minimize spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top) if BLH populations are building. |
| Material | Application per Acre | REI | PHI | MOA | Eff. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
thiamethoxam (Actara) |
1.5-3 oz | 12 h | 14 d | 4A | E | Apply when BLHs are present to minimize spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top). |
|
acetamiprid (Assail 70WP) |
0.6-1.7 oz | 12 h | 7 d | 4A | E | Apply when BLHs are present to minimize spread of phytoplasma diseases (e.g., purple top). Retreat after 7-10 days to maintain control of incoming BLHs. |
|
flupyradifurone (Sivanto 200 SL) |
7-10.5 fl oz | 4 h | 7 d | 4D | E | Early-to-mid season application will cover many migrating pests, including BLHs. Watch the Contour Maps in the Potato DAS every week to monitor regional BLH population densities. |
|
sulfoxaflor (Transform WG) |
1.5-2.25 oz | 24 h | 7 d | 4C | E | Early-to-mid season application will cover many migrating pests, including BLHs. Watch the Contour Maps in the Potato DAS every week to monitor regional BLH population densities. |