Insect ID

maf · September 21, 2012

In a greenhouse I am getting some insects chewing on the undersides of the leaves and causing a light spotting of the upper leaf side. Damage is not that great, but it is noticeable. Here are two pics, one of the damage and another of the insect I found under the leaves. The size of the bug is similar to an Aphid, but they move more quickly. There were also some darker green but similarly shaped insects that had the ability to jump, and did so rather than wait for me to take their photo.

ins1.jpg
ins2.jpg

I am looking at Psyllids and maybe Thrips, but I am not sure; any help would be greatly appreciated.

ChrisK · September 22, 2012

Look like leafhopper nymphs to me. The adults jump. Thrips are MUCH smaller.

greentiger87 · September 22, 2012

I see leafhopper nymphs too.. the damage looks right as well. You never see psyllid adults alone like that.. there's always plenty of nymphs and "sugar" around. Thrips are very hard to visualize without a really good magnifier.

maf · September 22, 2012

Thanks, I believe you are right. They are not something I have encountered before.

I didn't know we had problems with leafhoppers in the UK, but, it turns out we do:
Glasshouse leafhopper RHS page

Edit: I was originally thanking ChrisK, editing to thank Greentiger also.

DKelly · October 1, 2012

great info! never seen these on tomatoes here but probabley only a matter of time!

September 21, 2012	#1
maf Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: England Posts: 512	Insect ID In a greenhouse I am getting some insects chewing on the undersides of the leaves and causing a light spotting of the upper leaf side. Damage is not that great, but it is noticeable. Here are two pics, one of the damage and another of the insect I found under the leaves. The size of the bug is similar to an Aphid, but they move more quickly. There were also some darker green but similarly shaped insects that had the ability to jump, and did so rather than wait for me to take their photo. ins1.jpg ins2.jpg I am looking at Psyllids and maybe Thrips, but I am not sure; any help would be greatly appreciated.

September 22, 2012	#4
maf Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: England Posts: 512	Thanks, I believe you are right. They are not something I have encountered before. I didn't know we had problems with leafhoppers in the UK, but, it turns out we do: Glasshouse leafhopper RHS page Edit: I was originally thanking ChrisK, editing to thank Greentiger also. Last edited by maf; September 22, 2012 at 07:28 AM.

September 22, 2012	#2
ChrisK Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,448	Look like leafhopper nymphs to me. The adults jump. Thrips are MUCH smaller.

September 22, 2012	#3
greentiger87 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Houston, TX - 9a Posts: 211	I see leafhopper nymphs too.. the damage looks right as well. You never see psyllid adults alone like that.. there's always plenty of nymphs and "sugar" around. Thrips are very hard to visualize without a really good magnifier.

October 1, 2012	#5
DKelly Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hawaii Posts: 88	great info! never seen these on tomatoes here but probabley only a matter of time!