The 1925 Outbreak of the Beet Leafhopper (Eutettix Tenella Baker) in California

Abstract

The spring dispersal of the beet leafhoppers (Eutettix tenella Baker) in the San Joaquin and Salinas Valleys during 1925 was the earliest since records have been taken in California, but the migratory flights in the Sacramento Valley were earlier in 1921. A disastrous outbreak of curly leaf occurred and about one-third of the beet crop was either plowed under or was not worth harvesting in the Sacramento Valley, while in the interior regions of the Salinas Valley curly leaf wiped out all of the late plantings. The summer brood adults flew at least three miles from beet fields planted in March, April and May to beet fields planted in June in the Sacramento Valley. A partial second brood developed on the foothills in the Salinas Valley and flew into the fog belt causing serious injury to late planted beets.