Potato leaf hoppers arriving earlier and are more destructive

Data on potato leafhoppers goes back over 60 years and scientists have documented that they are arriving about 10 days earlier than they used to.  As damage also tends to be worse in warmer years, scientists are evaluated if climate change is causing the early arrival and increase in plant damage.  Indeed, the timing and severity of potato leafhopper corresponded to the increase in temperature.  This change can impact management of crops which are affected by the leafhoppers, a particular challenge as their feeding can go undetected for a short time after infestation.

potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae) by Steve L. Brown, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

Read more about the study:  Climate change boosts a migratory insect pest
Potato leafhopper images: Empoasca fabae
For more information: potato leafhopper wiki