Leafhoppers typically migrate from the edge of the field inward. Simply put - very significant and extremely costly. Literally millions of dollars are stolen from alfalfa growers each year by leafhoppers in terms of lost yield and quality. The loss is not limited to just annual yield reduction. For example, when leafhoppers are controlled, other factors which affect income and profitability are positively impacted.
Recovery is improved - plants are more vigourous and regrow faster after each cutting.
Stand life is improved - plants which are not damaged are more healthy and better able to survive the winter. Geographic Distribution Potato leafhoppers infest a wide geographic area. Traditionally it was thought that the insects overwinter in areas of Mississippi and Louisiana and migrate annually from there to areas of the midwestern and north central US, as well as southern Ontario. Newer research has shown that leafhoppers also overwinter on pine trees in Georgia and Tennessee and migrate from there to the northeastern US and southern Quebec each spring. Recent milder winters may be allowing the pest to overwinter in more northern areas than historically found.