Leafhopper

Leafhoppers feed on many different fruit, vegetable, flower, and woody ornamental hosts. Most species of leafhoppers feed on only one or several closely related plant species. Adults mostly are slender, wedge-shaped, and less than or about equal to 1/4-inch long. Leafhoppers generally are varying shades of green, yellow, or brown, and often mottled. Some species are brightly colored, while others blend with their host plant. Leafhoppers are active insects; they crawl rapidly sideways or readily jump when disturbed. Adults and nymphs and their pale cast skins are usually found on the underside of leaves.

Identification
Leafhoppers may sometimes be confused with aphids or lygus bugs. Look for leafhoppers or their cast skins on the undersides of affected leaves. Look at their actions; they are faster than aphids and run sideways and jump. Lygus bug nymphs are light green and also move much faster than aphids. They can be identified by their red-tipped antennae. Aphids can be distinguished by two tubelike structures, called cornicles, protruding from the hind end. One or more long rows of spines on the hind legs of leafhoppers and characters on their head distinguish leafhoppers from most other insects they resemble.
Some common leafhopper species in gardens and landscapes are the rose leafhopper, grape leafhopper, variegated leafhopper, potato leafhopper, and the aster leafhopper.

Damage
Leafhopper feeding causes leaves to appear stippled, pale, or brown, and shoots may curl and die. Some species cause a diamond-shape yellowing from the leaf tip. A few species secrete honeydew on which foliage-blackening sooty mold grows. Black spots of excrement and cast skins may be present on leaves and/or fruit. Some leafhopper species transmit plant diseases, but this is troublesome mostly among herbaceous crop plants.