Recently, the Tea green leafhopper has been causing significant damage in some tea-growing areas of our city. To mitigate losses and promote increased tea production and income for tea farmers, the Chongqing Agricultural Technology Extension Station, together with the Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences' Tea Research Institute and the Chongqing Tea Industry Technology System Innovation Team, have formulated comprehensive green control measures for the tea green leafhopper. We urge all agricultural and rural affairs departments to take this seriously, organize agricultural technicians to conduct thorough investigations immediately, and guide tea farmers in implementing control measures.

Symptoms of Damage

The tea green leafhopper feeds on the sap of young tissues of tea plants, leading to dehydration, slowed growth, scorched edges, and scorched leaves, which reduces both tea yield and quality.

Symptoms of Tea Green Leafhopper Damage

Comprehensive Green Control Measures

1Agricultural Control

Timely and frequent harvesting helps remove eggs and nymphs of the tea green leafhopper from young tissues of tea plants, effectively reducing pest populations. Pruning can also be an effective method to lower the field population of the tea green leafhopper.

2Physical Control

1. Hanging color boards: Yellow or yellow-and-red boards friendly to natural enemies are recommended. Use 25-30 boards per acre, hanging them 20 cm above the canopy surface. Remove after about two weeks.

2. Insect-trapping lights: Narrow-band LED wind-suction insect traps designed for tea gardens are recommended. Install one light per 20-30 acres, placing it 40-60 cm above the canopy. If installed, turn on the lights for insect trapping.

3. Vacuum insect collectors: Backpack vacuum insect collectors are recommended for capturing the tea green leafhopper. Use in the morning or evening, with 3-4 machines operating simultaneously, for two consecutive sessions.

3Biological Pesticide Control

Spray in the evening or on cloudy days using a 5% natural pyrethrum emulsion (800 times dilution), a 30% tea saponin solution (500 times dilution), or a 1% azadirachtin microemulsion (1000 times dilution). Rotate these pesticides and apply again after approximately seven days, ensuring a safety interval of more than three days.

4Chemical Pesticide Emergency Control

Following the principles of “safety, efficiency, and reduction,” low water-soluble chemical pesticides registered for use on tea plants are recommended for emergency control. For emergency control, consider the following chemical pesticides:

6% Abamectin and chlorfenapyr (500 times dilution)

150 g/L indoxacarb (2000 times dilution)

240 g/L chlorfenapyr (2000 times dilution)

50 g/L flonicamid (2000 times dilution)

Precautions for Chemical Control

1. Ensure secondary dilution and use freshly prepared solutions.

2. Focus spraying on the tender leaves, covering both sides of the leaves evenly and thoroughly.

3. Rotate pesticides to slow down resistance development.

4. Strictly follow the safe intervals for pesticide use; do not harvest during these intervals.