–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth and Dr. Holly Schwarting
Potato leafhoppers are still numerous in most alfalfa fields around north central Kansas. They are causing ‘hopper burn’ which can limit the plant’s ability to translocate nutrients to the roots prior to winter.
Swathing should help but if you have already cut your fields for the last time this year, monitoring should continue to ensure these little pests don’t cause too much plant stress, especially this time of year. Hopefully, they will head south to overwinter soon!