Fauna
Insect · GBIF taxon 2039662

Aster Leafhopper

Macrosteles quadrilineatus

Also known as Six-Spotted Leafhopper

Aster leafhoppers are tiny, greenish-yellow sap-feeders recognized by six distinct dark marks arranged in pairs on their forehead. They are notorious agricultural vectors, transmitting the phytoplasma bacteria responsible for aster yellows disease in hundreds of crop and wild plant species. During spring, vast swarms ride high-altitude wind currents northward from southern wintering sites to colonize fields and gardens.

Crop PestSapsuckingMigratory
Aster Leafhopper reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Robert Webster, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Robert Webster · cc-by-sa
—observations
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Plant phloem sap
  • Vegetable foliage juices
Predators
  • Ladybug larvae
  • Green lacewing larvae
  • Orb-weaver spiders
ThreatsSystemic insecticides, extreme weather, and natural predators
HabitatsAgricultural fields, vegetable gardens, meadows, and grasslands
Life span1 to 2 months
Classification
  1. FamilyCicadellidae
  2. SpeciesMacrosteles quadrilineatus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Harmless to humans and pets; safe to observe at a close distance.
Responsible observation
  • Yellow Cards: Bright yellow sticky cards placed near garden beds quickly reveal leafhopper activity.
  • Hand Lens Observation: Inspect the undersides of damaged plant leaves to spot fast-hopping nymphs.
Related species
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