In severe cases, premature defoliation occurs. Like other leafhoppers, the Stevens leafhopper can vector in the transmission of plant diseases. The causal organism of this disease is thought to be a mycoplasma-like organism carried by the leafhopper. The duration of developmental stages is greatly influenced by ambient temperature and host and less so by relative humidity. They are usually inserted into the veins on the underside of the leaves.
Females prefer to oviposit in transparent, developing leaves and young fully expanded leaves.
The first stage nymphs are translucent with dark reddish brown eyes. The second stage nymphs are light green in color and have white eyes with a dark marking at the center. Wing pads, or developing wings, become visible on the third stage nymphs. The remaining 2 nymphal stages are similar in appearance, except for a slight darkening in color and an increase in the length of the wing pads. Nymphs generally remain on the leaf from which they emerged.