Invasive Insect: Two-Spotted Cotton Leafhopper

By Patricia Prade

The two-spotted cotton leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula (Ashida) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae),  is a newly invasive pest of concern in the United States. With a broad host range and the ability to cause significant foliar injury, this species poses risks to both agricultural crops and ornamental plants. Although well documented in other regions of the world, its biology and behavior under U.S. conditions are still being investigated. Early detection and integrated management are essential to limit the establishment and spread.

Origin and Current Distribution

This leafhopper is native to Asia, ranging from Iran to Japan, as well as parts of Oceania. It has become established as an invasive species in Africa and is now spreading within the United States. The first U.S. detection occurred in Puerto Rico in 2023, followed by the first continental U.S. detection in December 2024 in Miami-Dade County, Florida, on cotton.

By August 2025, the pest had been confirmed in 101 counties across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama, with additional detections in Texas, Louisiana (on ornamental plants only), Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee. This rapid expansion underscores the need for continued surveillance and accurate identification.

Host Plants

Primary hosts known to support full development include cotton, cucumber, eggplant, grapevine, gourds, okra, potatoes, sesame, sunflower, tropical hibiscus, and watermelon. Incidental hosts—plants that may not support full development—include basil, cilantro, croton, marigold, pepper, poinsettia, rose, and tomato. However, not all potential hosts are currently known, especially within the United States, and the host range may expand as the pest continues to establish itself.