They tend to jump actively but are also capable of flying. The body may be 1.6 to 2.0 mm long. Each white, somewhat curved egg is rounded at one end, truncate at the other, about 7 mm long and 1 to 2 mm wide. Usually inserted into the plant, the egg is seldom if ever seen. Nymphs are pale yellow to dark green and range from 0.7 to 2 mm in length with five instars.
Later instars have a distinct black spot on each side of the first thoracic segment.
All stages have a jumping habit. A, and B, Females. Though infestations are sporadic in occurrence, garden fleahoppers can be found throughout the eastern United States as well as in some western areas. A wide range of garden, ornamental, and forage plants as well as many weeds and grasses are subject to infestation by this fleahopper. Garden fleahoppers cause pale spots to develop on leaves by sucking sap from the foliage.