The potato leafhopper invades North Dakota fields each year following migration of the leafhoppers from southern states where they overwinter. An early arrival can mean problems for a number of crops. Leafhoppers are currently being found in alfalfa, dry beans, potato, soybeans, and others.
Sweep nets are useful for confirming their presence in a field.
The nymphs are paler green, lack wings, and characteristically walk sideways when disturbed on the leaf surface. The nymphs can be found on the undersides of the leaves. The nymphs are generally more damaging than the adults since they feed for several weeks on the leaves where they hatch. Adults move around much more. The visual symptoms include leaves changing from green to yellow to brown as they deteriorate.