Pests, Beneficials, Diseases and Disorders of Mangoes - Northern ...

Mango leafhopper
Idioscopus nitidulus (Family Cicadellidae)
Description:
Eggs: Cigar-shaped, creamy-yellow in colour. Size: 0.9–1 mm in
length.
Immatures: Nymphs greenish with black or brown markings, resemble
small adults but without wings.
Adults: Usually golden-brown or dark brown in colour, wedge-shaped
similar to a very small cicada. Size: 4–5 mm in length.
Life Cycle: Adults breed throughout the year, however, during the
flowering and fruiting period, reproduction and development is faster.
Eggs are inserted into the mid-rib of new leaves and flower panicles
and hatch in 2–3 days. Nymphs take 12–20 days to develop into
adults.
Similar to: Mango planthopper damage.
Damage: Adults and nymphs feed on vegetative flush tissue by
sucking the sap. Feeding and egg laying cause curling and distortion
of new flush and young leaves. When populations are high, leaves
and flowers may have a sticky wet appearance which is from the
copious amount of honeydew the leafhoppers produce. Presence of
sooty mould which grows on honeydew may also be an indication of
leafhopper infestation.
Control Strategies: Monitor and treat infestations before flowering.
Native lacewing larvae and other predators may assist in controlling
immature leafhoppers.
Monitoring: It is especially important to monitor before and during
flowering. Monitor for infestation and damage on flowers and new
flush. In high numbers the leafhoppers make a characteristic clicking
sound.
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