Biology of the Aster Leafhopper, Macrosteles fascifrons (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), in Eastern Washington, and Some Overwintering Sources of Aster Yellows12

A 4-year study was made of the aster leafhopper, Macrosteles fascifrons (Stål), and the overwintering host plants of aster yellows to determine reasons for sporadic outbreaks of the disease on susceptible crops grown with the aid of irrigation. This leafhopper overwinters in the egg stage in small grains; no evidence was found of a spring migration from southern overwintering areas. Although populations of the leafhopper remained fairly constant from year to year, abundance of overwintering host plants of the disease was largely dependent upon the timing and abundance of rain in late summer, autumn, and spring.