Other Common Names
Herb leafhopper, tree mallow hopper, and chrysanthemum leafhopper.
Identification
Adults are whitish green with dark markings, with bodies that are broadest at the front and taper back to the rear. The immature nymphs are creamy white.
Food
Feeds on lavender, mints, oregano, rosemary, basil, thyme, sage, lemon balm and Phlomis species
Life Cycle
Sage leafhopper usually overwinters as eggs laid on its host plants. It sucks sap from the leaves and is active from May until late autumn but may remain active throughout the year in sheltered situations. It has several generations during the summer.
Remarks
Introduced from Europe.
Adult leafhoppers readily fly up from the plants when disturbed. White cast skins are attached to the lower leaf surface.
Lacewings and Macrolophus are natural predators which feed on the nymphs.
Biological control of leafhopper:
Anagrus atomus, 1mm parasitic wasp that lays its eggs inside the leafhopper eggs and Steinernema feltiae, a nematode that infects nymphs
