Evaluation of Potato Leafhopper, Empoasca fabae L., Populations in Arizona Citrus

Abstract

The potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae L., is a significant pest in the United States, and elsewhere, of alfalfa and potatoes In Arizona and in Coastal and Central California it can also be a pest of citrus. In 1994 and 1995 we collected information concerning their seasonal abundance in a large citrus orchard near Newman Peak Arizona. To do so we employed yellow sticky traps around the orchard periphery, at the same time using a D-Vac® vacuum sampler in the weeds growing in the interior of the orchard During both years peak populations occurred near mid April. This was correlated with a drop in relative humidity and a rise in ambient air temperature.