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The three-cornered alfalfa hopper is about 1/4 inch long and has a wedge-shaped body. Adults are green; nymphs are tan or green and spiny.
Damage is caused by nymphs and adults piercing stems and leaf petioles with needle-like mouth parts. Seedlings can be killed by damage near the soil line. A dark ring appears at the point of attack. Callus tissue and adventitious roots develop at the feeding site. Later in the season, plants may snap off when stressed by storms or field sampling procedures. Leaves hanging from collapsed, shriveled petioles indicate petiole feeding. This insect occurs throughout the South and Midwest. |
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