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GREEN SHARPSHOOTER BLUE GREEN GREEN SHARPSHOOTER BLUE GREEN
SHARPSHOOTER SHARPSHOOTER SHARPSHOOTER SHARPSHOOTER

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
GRAPE LEAFHOPPER GREEN SHARPSHOOTER GRAPE LEAFHOPPER GREEN SHARPSHOOTER
ADULT & NYMPH ADULT & NYMPH

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

1.Antenna- fine, small, threadlike 6.Thorax- body cylinder shape SHARPSHOOTER 1.Antenna- fine, small, threadlike 6.Thorax- body cylinder shape SHARPSHOOTER
2.Eyes- compound 7.Petiole- none 2.Eyes- compound 7.Petiole- none
3.Head- pointed with stylet 8.Abdomen 6 5 3.Head- pointed with stylet 8.Abdomen 6 5
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- various colors 4.Legs- 6 9.Color- various colors
5.Wings- along the body at rest 10.Other- sharpshooters can 5.Wings- along the body at rest 10.Other- sharpshooters can
transmit plant diseases transmit plant diseases
Life Cycle Life Cycle
Adult females insert eggs into soft tissues of plants in April and May. Eggs 3 Adult females insert eggs into soft tissues of plants in April and May. Eggs 3
hatch a few days later into nymphs. Nymphs grow and molt several times hatch a few days later into nymphs. Nymphs grow and molt several times
before becoming a winged adult. Several generations can occur in a single before becoming a winged adult. Several generations can occur in a single
season, each one lasting from three to seven weeks. Some Leafhoppers can 4 season, each one lasting from three to seven weeks. Some Leafhoppers can 4
overwinter as adults, and are found the next spring on leaves and weeds; overwinter as adults, and are found the next spring on leaves and weeds;
while some overwinter as eggs on twigs. while some overwinter as eggs on twigs.
Drawing Courtesy of Andrew Schaible Drawing Courtesy of Andrew Schaible

SHARPSHOOTERS SHARPSHOOTERS
Actual size 1/2” Actual size 1/2”
There are many varieties of sharpshooters or leafhoppers in the state, most are colored either green or There are many varieties of sharpshooters or leafhoppers in the state, most are colored either green or
brown, and are about 1/4th inch in size. They all have a distinctive long, slender shape, and are very brown, and are about 1/4th inch in size. They all have a distinctive long, slender shape, and are very
active. They can become significant problems for landscaping and crops. active. They can become significant problems for landscaping and crops.
The Glassy-winged Sharpshooter was accidentally brought into Arizona, likely as egg masses on plant The Glassy-winged Sharpshooter was accidentally brought into Arizona, likely as egg masses on plant
foliage. They feed on plants, but rarely cause significant plant damage. The real problem is that they foliage. They feed on plants, but rarely cause significant plant damage. The real problem is that they
can spread bacterium causing plant diseases such as Pierce’s disease of grape, oleander leaf scorch, can spread bacterium causing plant diseases such as Pierce’s disease of grape, oleander leaf scorch,
and almond leaf scorch. There is no cure at the present time for any of these diseases. When Glassy- and almond leaf scorch. There is no cure at the present time for any of these diseases. When Glassy-
winged Sharpshooters feed on a plant that is infected, it acquires the bacteria, and then transfers the winged Sharpshooters feed on a plant that is infected, it acquires the bacteria, and then transfers the
bacteria to another plant when it feeds again. bacteria to another plant when it feeds again.

The Smoke Tree Leafhopper is unusual in that it is ½ inch long. It is also found on a wide variety of The Smoke Tree Leafhopper is unusual in that it is ½ inch long. It is also found on a wide variety of
plants, but especially likes trees, including the Desert Smoke Tree, from which it gets it’s name. plants, but especially likes trees, including the Desert Smoke Tree, from which it gets it’s name.
Nymphs and adults remove the contents of leaf cells, leaving behind empty cells that usually appear as Nymphs and adults remove the contents of leaf cells, leaving behind empty cells that usually appear as
pale yellow spots. If Leafhopper populations are high, the entire leaf may be pale yellow or white. Their pale yellow spots. If Leafhopper populations are high, the entire leaf may be pale yellow or white. Their
excrement appears as minute, sticky clumps that darken with age, and is associated with the growth of excrement appears as minute, sticky clumps that darken with age, and is associated with the growth of
sooty mold. sooty mold.

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