Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Mini Fact Sheet Edition

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Bele (Abelmoschus) leafhoppers (039)

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Photo 1. Adult jassid, Amrasca ?devastans, on the underside of a bele leaf.

Photo 2. Close-up adult jassid, Amrasca ?devastans, on the underside of a bele leaf.

Photo 3. Yellowing and crinkling of leaves of bele infested by the jassid leafhopper, Amrasca ?devastans.

Photo 4. The plant with the highly dissected leaf in the foreground appears tolerant to jassids - compare with those behind.

Photo 5. Variety of bele from Solomon Islands that appears tolerant to infestations of the jassid, Amrasca ?devastans. (Needs verification.)

Summary

• Narrow distribution, Asia and Oceania (but not confirmed). On bele (aibika, sliperi kabis, island cabbage, Abelmoschus manihot), cotton, okra, beans, eggplant, peanut.
• Eggs laid on leaves; nymphs green-yellow, like the adults but wingless; both feed on leaves causing crinkling, yellow patches, sometimes white edges.
• Even small numbers cause damage, perhaps injecting toxic saliva when feeding. Worse in dry times.
• Natural enemies: ladybird beetles, parasitoid wasps, spiders.
• Cultural control: test varieties for resistance.
• Chemical control: PDPs: neem, derris, pyrethrum, or chill; spinosad or Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); or synthetic pyrethroids, but they will kill natural enemies.

Common Name

Green or Indian cotton jassid (or leafhopper). These are the common names given to Amrasca devastans, but the species in the Pacific has not been identified.

Scientific Name

Most likely Amrasca biguttula biguttula; previously, Amrasca devastans, and Empoasca devastans.

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