Honeylocust plant bug and leafhopper, Michigan trees, shrubs

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IPM Scouting in Woody Landscape Plants

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Honeylocust plant bug - Diaphnocorus chlorionis
Honeylocust leafhopper - Macropis fumipennis

These two insects are often found at the same time feeding on honeylocusts, but plant injury is due almost entirely to the plant bug. Honeylocust plant bugs overwinter under bark as eggs. They hatch and begin feeding as new leaves develop, from late April to mid-May. Nymphs mature into adults in about one month. There is one generation per year.

Management: Look for nymphs as saucer magnolia and bridalwreath spirea are in bloom. Determine population levels by tapping terminals over a white piece of paper. The insects will be visible on the paper. Treatment may not be necessary, unless trees are heavily infested.

Nymph of honeylocust plant bug, about 4 mm long


Leafhopper adult about 4.5 mm long.	Honeylocust leaves distorted and stunted from feeding injury caused by plant bug adults and nymphs. Defoliation may occur on severely infested trees.

Additional information

MSU Diagnostic Services for assistance in pest identification.
MSU Landscape Alert newsletters for information about the current growing season, pest concerns and plant advice.

This information was developed from A Pocket IPM Scouting Guide for Woody Landscape Plants by Diane Brown-Rytlewski. Purchase this in a pocket-sized guide for reference in the orchard from MSU Extension (publication E-2839).

The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.
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Updated 7/09/07