Mango Leafhopper (Idioscopus spp.) | Major Pest Affecting Mango Blossoms and Yields
Mango Leafhopper (Idioscopus spp.)
A Silent Threat to Mango Blossoms and Yields
Mango—Thailand’s iconic fruit and a global agricultural export—faces a surprisingly destructive yet often underestimated pest: the Mango Leafhopper. Though tiny, this insect poses a significant threat during the flowering season. If not properly controlled early on, it can cause massive flower drop, leading to severely reduced fruit yields.
Basic Information
- Common Name: Mango Leafhopper
- Scientific Names: Idioscopus clypealis (Lethierry), Idioscopus niveosparsus (Lethierry)
- Family: Cicadellidae
- Order: Hemiptera
Morphology & Biology
Body Length: 5.6–6.5 mmDistinct Features:
- Large head
- Slender, wedge-shaped body
- Greyish-black or brownish-grey color
Wings:
- Forewings: Hemelytra (hardened base, transparent tips)
- Hindwings: Thin and membranous
Mouthparts: Piercing-sucking type
Legs: Fore and mid legs for walking; hind legs adapted for jumping
Behavior:
- Found in large groups
- Produce audible sounds when disturbed
Life Cycle (Incomplete Metamorphosis)
Egg Stage
- Laid on flower stalks or young leaves
- Hatching time: 7–10 days
Nymph Stage
- Undergoes 4 molts
- Duration: 17–19 days
Adult Stage
- Lifespan: 15–19 days
- Capable of mating and starting the next generation
Host Plants & Crop Damage
- Primary Host: Mango (Mangifera indica)
- Other Hosts: Various species in the Anacardiaceae family
Destructive Behavior:
- Feeds on young leaves, buds, flower clusters, and flower stalks
- Causes wilting of blossoms, flower drop, and poor fruit set
- Leads to significant yield loss, especially during early flowering
Geographic Distribution
Widely found across Southeast Asia, including:
- Thailand
- India
- Philippines
- Vietnam
- Malaysia
Outbreaks are most common from late winter to early summer, coinciding with mango flowering.
Control & Management Strategies
Targeted Insecticide Application
For Early Infestation: Carbaryl (Sevin 85% WP)
For Severe Infestation:
Synthetic Pyrethroids:
- Permethrin: 10 mL/20 L water
- Lambda-cyhalothrin: 7 mL/20 L water
- Cyfluthrin: 4 mL/20 L water
- Deltamethrin: 10 mL/20 L water
- Cypermethrin: 10 mL/20 L water
Guidelines:
- Spray in the evening
- Avoid repeated use of the same chemical group more than twice to prevent resistance
Post-Harvest Pruning
- Reduces hiding spots for leafhoppers
- Enhances spray efficiency in the following season
Light Traps
- Effective during nighttime outbreaks
- Use in combination with physical traps or manual collection methods
Conclusion
Although small, the Mango Leafhopper can inflict severe damage on mango crops if left unmanaged. Early monitoring and intervention during the flowering stage is crucial. Understanding the pest’s life cycle and implementing integrated control measures can protect your orchard and secure a healthy, high-quality mango yield.
Mango Leafhopper (Idioscopus spp.) — 3 Quick, High-Intent FAQs
Q: 1 How do I quickly tell Mango Leafhoppers from thrips or psyllids during bloom?
A: Look on panicles and young flush at dusk/early morning. Leafhoppers are wedge-shaped (≈5–6.5 mm), grey-brown, sit side-on, and jump when disturbed (hind legs built for leaping). Adults often have a soft clicking sound when flushed and are strongly attracted to lights. Damage shows as wilting/blossom blight + sticky honeydew → sooty mold on panicles. Thrips are slender, <2 mm, scrape petals causing silvery/browned petal edges; psyllids make wax strings and leaf cupping—not typical for leafhoppers.Q: 2 What’s the best (bee-safe) way to control them during flowering?
A: Start with IPM and spray only if needed.
- Scout & trigger: check panicles weekly; intervene when you see fresh honeydew/sooty mold on many panicles or several hoppers per panicle with active wilting (don’t wait for heavy drop).
- Biological/soft options: orchard sanitation & pruning after harvest, yellow light traps at night, directed water jets to dislodge clusters, and—where available—microbials (e.g., Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium spp.) under humid conditions.
- Bee-safe spraying: if chemicals are required, spray at dusk/evening after bee foraging; avoid full bloom daytime. Rotate MoA (e.g., carbaryl for early hits; synthetic pyrethroids such as permethrin 10 mL/20 L, lambda-cyhalothrin 7 mL/20 L, cyfluthrin 4 mL/20 L, deltamethrin 10 mL/20 L, cypermethrin 10 mL/20 L). Do not repeat the same group >2 times in a row. Keep sprays targeted to panicles, not blanket canopy runs.
Q: 3 When do outbreaks peak, and what can I do before bloom to prevent losses?
A: Peaks are late winter → early summer (flowering), especially in humid, still conditions. Pre-bloom checklist:
- Post-harvest prune to open the canopy (fewer hiding spots, better spray coverage next season).
- Remove off-season flushes and volunteer hosts (Anacardiaceae) near blocks.
- Set light traps on borders two weeks before expected panicle emergence to knock down incoming adults.
- Calibrate spray gear for fine panicle coverage and line up rotations in advance (resistance management).
- Plan monitoring routes (edge rows, low pockets of humidity) so you catch the first honeydew/sooty mold and act early—this is when you save the most fruit set.
