Aster Leafhopper: Source of Infestation, Host Plant Preference, and Dispersal23

Abstract

The local movement and host plants of Macrosteles fascifrons (Sta1) were studied for three years in eastern Washington by light trap surveys and sweeping. The data indicate that this leafhopper did not migrate from remote breeding areas, but populations arose each year from overwintering eggs laid on grain, clovers (red, ladino, and alsike), and grasses, and dispersed to vegetable crops such as carrots and potatoes when the grain and clovers matured or when they were unsuitable as food. The aster leafhopper returned to fall-planted grains and weed hosts in late summer for oviposition of overwintering eggs.