Their real concern is that they are going to be harvesting later than normal and face increased risk of wet weather prior to completing harvest. The Curly Top Virus Control Board is designed to control the spread of Sugar Beet Leaf Hoppers in tomatoes and other crops. They have a research project designed to help control the Leaf Hoppers by the use of parasites that only attack the eggs of the Sugar Beet Leaf Hopper. The parasites have been released in test areas. They are currently testing for reproduction of parasites in the wild and for control of Sugar Beet Leaf Hopper.
Initial reports are positive.
It is premature to make conclusions, but I am cautiously optimistic that this will be able to replace a great deal of malathion spraying which is the current control of the Sugar Beet Leaf Hopper. See you down the furrows.