Both life stages feed on the underside of leaves. The major differences between adult and immature potato leafhoppers are the absence of wings and the smaller size of the leafhopper nymphs. Nymphs may also be lighter in color. Life Cycle Adult leafhoppers migrate northward on prevailing winds from the Gulf of Mexico, and typically arrive in Minnesota during May or June. Upon arriving, adults seek out host plants in which to oviposit and feed.
Adults live for about a month.
Eggs hatch into nymphs after around 10 days. Nymphs undergo 5 instars over a period of 1-2 weeks. There are likely to be overlapping generations in a field at any one time. Leafhoppers cannot overwinter in Minnesota, and this pest is killed with the first frosts of winter. Damage Leafhoppers do not typically reach economically significant populations until late June.