Potato leafhoppers can be found in soybean and alfalfa fields. Figure 1 shows an adult potato leafhopper (at the knifepoint) next to a pea aphid. They cause very little concern in soybeans but can be problematic in alfalfa. They do not overwinter in Kansas. Therefore, we are just finding the first migrants back into the state, and they are depositing eggs. These will produce nymphs within the next 7-10 days. Potato leafhoppers can stress alfalfa in two ways: by sucking limited moisture from the plants and at the same time introducing a toxin during this feeding. The few aphids that are also currently present in alfalfa are providing food for beneficials. Figure 2 shows an immature lacewing feeding on an aphid and a pirate bug (another beneficial) just in front of the larval lacewing. For alfalfa insect pest management, please refer to the 2025 K-State Alfalfa Insect Pest Management Guide.
Figure 1. At the end of the knifepoint is a potato leafhopper, and beside it a pea aphid. Photo by Cody Wyckoff, K-State Research and Extension.
Figure 2. Lacewing larva eating a pea aphid and a pirate bug just in front of the aphid that is being eaten by the lacewing. Photo by Cody Wyckoff, K-State Research and Extension.
Early-season soybean problem – Burrowing bugs
Soybean planting is well underway throughout the state. However, one problem that usually doesn't appear often-and hardly ever to this extent, is burrowing bugs. Figure 3 shows stand loss, and Figure 4 shows the actual burrowing bug nymphs that caused this stand loss. Burrowing bugs are very common across the state, but most often only build up populations sizeable enough to cause this type of damage under henbit. So, if you have substantial areas of henbit, be sure to kill it enough ahead of planting so that any burrowing bugs developing underneath will disperse or die prior to the germination of the crop. For soybean insect pest management problems, please refer to the 2025 K-State Insect Pest Management Guide.
Figure 3. Damage done by burrowing bugs to a soybean field in Greenwood County. Photo by Lucas Short.
Figure 4. Damage done by burrowing bugs in Greenwood County. Photo by Lucas Short.
Jeff Whitworth, Extension Entomology Specialist
jwhitwor@ksu.edu