Two weeks ago Dominic Reisig reported the first detection of the invasive cotton jassid leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula) on cotton in NC in Robeson County. Last week, Mack Johnson, Extension Agent in Robeson County, reported a grower finding the insect (which is also referred to as the cotton leafhopper or two-spotted leafhopper) in okra. In addition to okra and cotton, its host range includes several other vegetable crops, including eggplant, tomato, potato, and legumes. Although it appears to have distinct preferences for certain plant species, its general host range includes plants in the families Solanaceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae, and Asteraceae.
Distribution and Spread: The cotton leafhopper is native to Asia and was first reported in the US in Florida in 2024. It has rapidly spread throughout the Southeast, and in 2025 has been reported in FL, GA, AL, SC and now NC. Habitat suitability models predicting areas of probable occurrence suggest that the Atlantic Coastal Plains region of the Southeast is at the highest risk. Most detections thus far have been in this ecoregion, but that is also where cotton is most common and hence where sampling has been most abundant. Its ability to overwinter in NC is not well understood at this time.
Damage and Management on Vegetables: Both adults and nymphs feed on the underside of leaves and inject a toxic salivary secretion while feeding. Damage is expressed as hopperburn, a curling and discoloration of leaves, beginning on the edge and eventually taking over the whole leaf. The potential for serious damage is evident in the okra infestation in Robeson County.
