Potato Leafhopper Economic Injury Levels on Earlystage Snap and Dry Kidney Beans

Abstract

Field cage experiments were conducted in Ithaca, N.Y. in 2001 to determine the yield effect of potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae) infestations on early-stage beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). Yields of `Hystyle' snap beans and `Montcalm' dry kidney beans were significantly reduced when infested by potato leafhopper at the cotyledon, two-leaf, and four-leaf stages. For snap beans, no differences in yield response from potato leafhopper were observed among the three plant growth stages. For dry beans, there was a difference in yield response between cotyledon and four-leaf-stage plants. Dynamic economic injury levels for potato leafhopper on early-stage beans are suggested.