Tarnished Plant Bug vs Beet Leafhopper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tarnished Plant Bug | Beet Leafhopper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lygus lineolaris | Circulifer tenellus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Miridae | Cicadellidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 3-3.5 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Western North America, Mediterranean, Middle East |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Tarnished Plant Bug
A small, mottled brown and green plant bug that is one of the most damaging agricultural pests in North America. It feeds on over 300 plant species, causing distorted growth and blemished fruits. The adults are strong fliers that readily colonize new fields.
Did You Know?
Its feeding injects a toxin that destroys plant cells around the feeding site, causing the characteristic dimpled, scarred appearance on strawberries known as 'catfacing.'
Beet Leafhopper
A small pale green to tan leafhopper that transmits curly top virus to sugar beets, tomatoes, and beans. It breeds on desert weeds and migrates to cultivated crops.
Did You Know?
Curly top virus transmitted by this leafhopper nearly destroyed the sugar beet industry in the western United States in the early 1900s.