Glasshouse leafhopper

The leafhoppers are a family (Cicadellidae) of sap

Sap is a fluid that circulates through a plant's vascular system, in a similar way to blood moving through our veins. Phloem sap carries the sugars produced in the leaves by photosynthesis down to roots and other storage organs, as well as carrying minerals and hormones. Xylem sap is watery and transports nutrients absorbed by the roots upwards to the rest of the plant. Some plants leak sap from wounds or pruning cuts, and this is known as bleeding.

sucking true bugs, there are nearly 400 species found in the UK. They can jump or fly short distances and most do not feed on or cause noticeable damage to garden plants. Find out more about British species from British bugs.

Glasshouse leafhopper is a 3 mm long pale green species.

• A coarse pale mottling appears on the upper leaf surface of a wide range of plants in greenhouses, on houseplants and in gardens (similar mottling on sage, rosemary and other herbs is likely to be due to the sage or Ligurian leafhoppers)
• The spots can join together, giving the leaves a chlorotic appearance that could be mistaken for a mineral deficiency
• Damaged leaves will remain discoloured
• Adult glasshouse leafhoppers are 3 mm (about 1/8 in) long and pale yellow with grey markings. They are broadest at the head end and taper to a point behind
• Adults jump off leaves and fly short distances when disturbed
• The creamy white, wingless nymphs are less active and can be easier to spot
• White cast skins shed by the immature nymphs can often be found attached to the underside of damaged leaves (aphid skins are usualy found on the top surface of leaves)

• Often leafhoppers do not affect the growth or vigour of plants and so can be tolerated, they are part of the biodiversity
  

  The variety of living organisms (plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms) in a particular environment. Boosting the biodiversity of your garden has many benefits, including supporting wildlife, improving soil health and reducing the likelihood of pest and disease problems.

  a healthy garden can support
• Encourage predators and other natural enemies of leafhoppers, in the garden, such as birds, ladybirds, wasps and ground beetles

Leaf mottling can result from the feeding activities of adults and nymphs, which primarily inhabit the lower leaf surface. These insects undergo several generations during the growing season

The period of time when an individual plant is in active growth. This will depend on the local climate and light levels, and can vary between different plants, although it is broadly from spring to autumn.

and can remain active year-round on indoor plants. Eggs are deposited in leaf veins and hatch into wingless creamy white nymphs, which molt five times before reaching adulthood. The life cycle spans about six weeks in midsummer but extends to several months during winter.