Cotton Jassid - Amrasca biguttula
Amrasca biguttula, often referred to as the cotton jassid, is a type of leafhopper classified under
Amrasca biguttula, often referred to as the cotton jassid, is a type of leafhopper classified under the subfamily Typhlocybinae within the Cicadellidae family. This insect acts as a significant pest affecting crops like cotton, okra, and others primarily in regions of southern Asia and West Africa.Physical CharacteristicsAdult cotton jassids are elongated and slim, measuring around 2.6 millimeters (0.1 inches) long. They display a yellowish-green hue, featuring prominent black markings—one on each side of the head and another toward the end of the front wings. The head appears light green, while the wings are clear and shimmering. When on leaves, these insects typically move sideways, and if startled, they quickly leap and take flight.Reproductive and Developmental StagesThese leafhoppers develop directly from nymphs to adults, skipping a pupal phase. On plants such as okra, females primarily insert eggs into the leaf tissue, though they might also use stems or tender branches. Eggs typically hatch within six to seven days. The nymphs pass through five growth stages over roughly a week, remaining without wings during this time. The overall life expectancy is about a month, with females outliving males slightly. Each female can produce around 15 eggs. Adults, especially females, are drawn to lights.Habitat and BehaviorEquipped with piercing-sucking mouthparts, leafhoppers extract sap from plants. In India, the cotton jassid consumes sap from various hosts year-round, including cotton, okra, eggplant, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, and sunflower, with additional feeding on pigeon pea and cowpea during the wet season. In Burkina Faso, it targets cotton, okra, eggplant, and hibiscus amid rainy periods. It can also be found on grasses, such as Bermuda grass lawns.Impact on CropsSevere outbreaks on crops like cotton, okra, and sunflower cause leaves to yellow, curl, and drop prematurely. The pests excrete a sugary substance called honeydew, which promotes the growth of sooty mold. This mold blocks sunlight from reaching the plant's leaves, hindering photosynthesis and lowering crop output. In numerous locations, this insect frequently reaches outbreak levels on cotton. Natural predators, including ladybugs, certain predatory bugs from the Lygaeidae family, and various mantises, assist in population control. Neem oil serves as an effective natural pesticide. Management StrategiesResearch on cotton shows that varieties with hairy undersides on leaves experience fewer infestations. Longer hairs prove more effective than shorter ones in discouraging egg-laying, as they hinder the insect's ability to reach the leaf surface closely enough. Additionally, the fungus Batkoa amrascae from the Entomophthoraceae family has been observed infecting and killing Amrasca biguttula populations in the Philippines.
Sources:
https://www.farmprogress.com/cotton/cotton-jassid-invades-southeast-texas-braces-for-2026-impact
