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Threecornered Alfalfa Hopper

Overview

The three-cornered alfalfa hopper (Spissistilus festinus) is a significant pest affecting various crops in the United States and Canada. This insect primarily targets alfalfa but also poses a threat to soybeans, peanuts, and other legumes. The hopper feeds on plant stems, causing girdling that can lead to reduced plant vigor, lodging, and even plant death. In soybeans, the damage can result in reduced pod set and lower yields. Effective management of this pest is crucial for maintaining crop health and productivity.

Photo Credit: Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org

Alfalfa Hopper

How to Identify Alfafa Hopper

Identifying the three-cornered alfalfa hopper (Spissistilus festinus) involves recognizing both the adult and nymph stages of the insect. Here are detailed characteristics to help farmers identify this pest:

Adult Stage:

  1. Shape and Size: Adults are wedge-shaped, resembling a triangle when viewed from above. They are approximately 6-8 mm (about 1/4 inch) in length.

  2. Color: They are typically green, which helps them blend in with the foliage. Some may have a slight yellowish or brownish tint.

  3. Wings: The wings are transparent with green veins and are held roof-like over the body when at rest.

  4. Head: The head is broad and blunt, with prominent eyes on either side.

  5. Movement: Adults are agile and can jump or fly short distances when disturbed.

Nymph Stage:

  1. Shape and Size: Nymphs are smaller than adults, starting at about 1-2 mm in length and growing larger as they molt through several instars.

  2. Color: Nymphs are generally pale green and may have a slightly translucent appearance.

  3. Body Structure: They lack fully developed wings but have wing pads that become more pronounced as they mature.

  4. Spines: Nymphs have spines along their back, which are more noticeable in the earlier instars.

  5. Movement: Nymphs are less mobile than adults but can still move quickly when disturbed.

Damage Indicators:

  1. Girdling: Look for girdling on stems, which appears as a dark, constricted ring. This is caused by the hopper's feeding and can weaken the plant.

  2. Plant Symptoms: Affected plants may show signs of reduced vigor, yellowing, and stunted growth. In severe cases, plants may lodge or die.

  3. Pod Set: In soybeans, reduced pod set and lower yields can be an indicator of hopper activity.

Scouting Tips:

  1. Timing: Regularly scout fields, especially during the growing season when the hoppers are most active.

  2. Sampling: Use a sweep net to sample the foliage and capture both adults and nymphs for closer inspection.

  3. Field Edges: Pay particular attention to field edges and areas with dense vegetation, as these are common hotspots for hopper activity.

By closely monitoring these characteristics and symptoms, farmers can accurately identify the three-cornered alfalfa hopper and take appropriate management actions to protect their crops.

Geographic Impact of Alfafa Hopper

Geographic Impact of Alfafa Hopper

The geographic impact of the three-cornered alfalfa hopper (Spissistilus festinus) is significant across various regions in the United States and Canada. This pest primarily affects crops such as alfalfa, soybeans, peanuts, and other legumes. It is prevalent in areas where these crops are grown extensively, including the southern and central United States. The hopper's feeding activity can lead to reduced plant vigor, lodging, and lower yields, making it a concern for farmers in these regions.

Timing of Alfafa Hopper Impact

The three-cornered alfalfa hopper typically emerges and impacts fields across the United States during the warmer months, primarily from late spring through early fall. This period coincides with the growing season of many of their host crops, such as alfalfa, soybeans, peanuts, and other legumes. The hoppers are most active when temperatures are warm, and they can cause significant damage by feeding on plant stems, leading to girdling and reduced plant vigor.

How to Manage Alfafa Hopper

Some products containing carbaryl are labeled for use against the three-cornered alfalfa hopper in crops like alfalfa, hay, soybeans, and peanuts.

Farmers can also chemically manage the three-cornered alfalfa hopper using insecticides such as Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC and Acephate 97UP®.

  • Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC contains the active ingredient Lambda-Cyhalothrin and is labeled for use on alfalfa, hay, soybeans, peanuts, and other legumes to control the three-cornered alfalfa hopper.

  • Acephate 97UP® contains the active ingredient Acephate and is also labeled for use on the same crops for managing this pest.

Every product that labels THREECORNERED ALFALFA HOPPER as a weed, pest, or disease the product can be applied against is shown below. Click any product for label and more information.
Acenthrin™Acephate 90 PrillAcephate 90 Prill Select™Acephate 90 WDGAcephate 90 WSPAcephate 97 WDGAcephate 97UP®Adage™Adage™ STArgyle™ ODAsana® XLAttendant® 480 FSAvenger™ Bold S3™Avenger™ S3™Avicta® Complete Beans 500Batallion™ 10 WSPBatallion™ 2 ECBatallion™ LFCBaythroid® XLBelay® InsecticideBesiege® InsecticideBi-Dash 2EBifen 2 AG GoldBifen 25% ECBifender® FC InsecticideBifenthrin 2EC InsecticideBifenture® 10DFBifenture® ECBolton™Bracket® 90 WDGBracket® 97Bracket® 97 (Soluble Insecticide)Bracket® 97 WDGBrigade® 2EC Insecticide/MiticideBrigade® WSB InsecticideBrigadier® InsecticideCapture® LFR®Carbaryl 4LCarbaryl 4LCavalry™ IIClariva® Elite BeansCobalt® AdvancedCobalt® InsecticideConsero®Consero® (Gamma-cyhalothrin)Cortes™ Maxx InsecticideCrossoverCrossover® ProCruiser® 5FSCruiserMaxx®CruiserMaxx® AdvancedCruiserMaxx® APXCruiserMaxx® APX UncoloredCruiserMaxx® EZCruiserMaxx® PeanutsCruiserMaxx® PlusCruiserMaxx® Vibrance®Crusader 2MECrusader® 1ECCygon™ LVDeclare® InsecticideDeclare® InsecticideDelta Gold®Dimate 4EDimethoate 2.67Dimethoate 4 EDimethoate 400Dimethoate 400 ECDimethoate 4ECDimethoate LV-4Discipline® 2ECDoubleTake™Dyna-Shield Conquest™Elevest™Elliptica™Endigo® ZCEndigo® ZCXEquity® VIPEquity™Ethos® XB Insecticide/FungicideFanfare® 2ECFanfare® ECFanfare® ESFastac® CS insecticideFastac™ EC insecticideFirestone™Frenzy VelozGCS Bifenthrin 2ECGCS Bifenthrin LFCGladiator® Insecticide/MiticideGrizzly® TooGrizzly® Z InsecticideHero® EWHero® InsecticideIMAX PlusINOVATE™ Seed ProtectantINOVATE™ System Kit (2 Pieces)INTEGO™ SUITE SoybeansINTEGO™ SUITE SystemJustice®Kaiso® 24 WGKarate® InsecticideKarate® with Zeon™ TechnologyKendo® 22.8 CSKendo™ InsecticideKilter®L - C InsecticideLambda TLambda-Cy AGLambda-Cy™ EC Insecticide-RUPLambdafos™ InsecticideLamcap® IILamcap™Lancer® 2ECLancer® FCLegend™ 5L STLegumeStar™ Select STLeverage® 360Livid® 90 PrillLivid® 97 PrillLumisure®Lunge™ InsecticideMatch-Up™ InsecticideMustang® InsecticideMustang® MaxxNipsIt INSIDE® InsecticideNufarm Lambda-Cyhalothrin 1EC InsecticideOrthene® 97Paradigm®Paradigm® VCPoncho® 600 Seed TreatmentPoncho® VOTiVO®Poncho® Votivo® Precise Seed TreatmentPoncho® Votivo® Seed TreatmentPoncho® XC Seed TreatmentProaxis® InsecticideProaxis® InsecticideProaxis™Province® IIProvince™Ravage®Renestra™ InsecticideRespect® EC insecticideRespect® insecticideReveal®Reveal® CAReveal® Endurx™S-FenvaloStarSeed Shield® BeansSeed Shield® SoybeanSeeker™ Insecticide with Isoclast™ ActiveSeguroSerpent™ 1 ECSevin® 4FSevin® XLR PlusSilencer®Silencer® VXN™Sivanto® HLSivanto™ 200 SLSivanto™ primeSkyraider®SlugbugSniper®Sniper® Helios®Sniper® LFR®SoyStar™ Elite STSoyStar™ Premier STSoyStar™ Select STSoyStar™ Supreme STSpirato® IMTm 348 FSStallion® BrandSteed® InsecticideSultrus™Surround® CF Crop ProtectantSurround® WP Crop ProtectantSwagger®Tailgunner™Tempest™ Dual-Action InsecticideTenkoz® Acephate 97Tepera® PlusTepera® Plus HDTepera® Plus HDTide Acephate 90 WDGTombstone™Tombstone™ Helios®Triple Crown™ InsecticideTundra® EC (1381-196)UpShot™ Soybean Seed TreatmentVoliam Xpress®Warden® CXWarden® CX IIWarrior II with Zeon Technology®Willowood Bifenthrin 2ECWillowood Lambda 1ECWillowood Lambda-Cy 1ECZyrate®

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