UF/IFAS warns farmers and gardeners of the destructive two-spot cotton leafhopper.
A new invasive pest, the two-spot cotton leafhopper, is causing alarm among Florida’s agricultural community. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has issued a statewide alert, urging farmers and residents to be vigilant against this tiny but highly destructive insect.
Detected in Florida in December 2024, the two-spot cotton leafhopper (scientific name Amrasca devastans) measures just 2.5 to 3 millimeters long.
Despite its small size, it poses a significant threat to a wide range of food and ornamental crops, including cotton, okra, eggplant, peanut, roselle, soybean, sunflower, and tropical hibiscus. It is also known as the Indian cotton jassid or cotton jassid.
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According to Alexandra Revynthi, an assistant professor at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, the pest is particularly concerning for South Florida, where okra and tropical hibiscus are popular crops. The insect feeds on plant sap, causing a condition known as hopperburn, which leads to the yellowing, browning, and wilting of leaves. This damage can be severe, with some infestations overseas causing yield losses of over 50%.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services–Division of Plant Industry (FDACS-DPI) has designated the two-spot cotton leafhopper as a regulated pest. Confirmed detections have been made in several counties, and experts fear the pest could spread further.
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The leafhopper’s reach extends beyond South Florida. Crops in Central and Southwest Florida, as well as staple crops like cotton and peanuts in North Florida, are also at risk. The pest could also affect ornamental hibiscus plants, which are cultivated across the state, providing another potential pathway for its spread.
To combat the threat, UF/IFAS and FDACS-DPI are providing resources to help growers identify, monitor, and control the pest. Farmers and residents can contact the Division of Plant Industry Helpline at 1-888-397-1517 or email photos to DPIhelpline@FDACS.gov for assistance.
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