Ick, it almost looks like some kid of cricket/grasshopper mutant. Where are you located? I've never seen any bug like that.

It does look horrible! I'm in Los Angeles, on the westside. It can fly but doesn't like to - will try to hide before it flies.

That insect is not responsible for any chewing injury.....holes. they have tiny little needle-like mouthparts in order to suck the juices out, never biting into tissue.

Carolinagirl, the image may be misleading.....this insect is very small; not near cricket or grasshopper size.

Yeah the most damage he does is shooting poop - thus the name. :-)

Dave

I am very close to wine country here, and many vineyards have lost entire crops to the Glassy Winged Sharpshooter. You need a systemic way of ridding your plants of them, like Bayer Advanced. We use Merrit, also manufactured by Bayer, really expensive (and only available through agricultural stores), but since commercial vineyards are close by, we feel a responsibility to do our part. The systemic is not a spray, but we water with it. The plant's roots drink it, and any sucking bug will DIE. It will not kill you.

We also have many citrus trees, and there is a bad Asian bug that is wiping out commercial citrus groves. We have many of those around us, and the US Dept of AG came out and inspected our trees. We don't have the disease, but signs of the bug. They instructed us to use Merit.

The Glassy Winged Sharpshooter is listed as a moderate pest for citrus and fruit crops only. Some systemic pesticides are USDA approved for use on those crops (with restrictions) though many growers still refuse to use them when contact pesticides can effectively control them without all the concerns associated with the use of systemics.

But those same pesticides are NOT approved for use on garden vegetable crops, even commercial crops. The last thing most home gardeners want are unnecessary systemic pesticides in their garden vegetables. And to resort to using them on the off chance that some pest might be there and might do a bit of damage is irresponsible. Especially given they readily kill bees and other beneficial insects that feed on the plants when blooming.

Dave

I've noticed these on my pepper plants this year. I haven't seen any damage, as all my peppers are in great shape. Those little buggers are quick and when they see me they dart to the opposite side of the stem to try and stay out of my vision. Should I start trying to kill them when I see them?

Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b(9b)... We use Merrit, also
manufactured by Bayer...''

Did you mean Merit? https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=a9_sc_1?rh=i%3Alawngarden%2Ck%3Amerit&keywords=merit&ie=UTF8&qid=1467479570

"I've noticed these on my pepper plants this year. I haven't seen any damage, as all my peppers are in great shape. Should I start trying to kill them when I see them?"

So if they aren't doing any damage what reason would you have for killing them?

90% of the insects in a garden are beneficials, or at the worst, neutrals. And even the 5% who aren't only pose a threat when in large numbers and doing obvious damage.

Dave

The problem with the leafhoppers and sharpshooters is that large populations can take volumes of photosynthate from the plants, weakening them severely. The damage is not readily observed until the plant is in serious distress.....too late.

The use of systemic Imidacloprid pesticides such as Merit is that homeowners may not understand that there is a long interval between spraying the chemical and when it is safe to harvest and eat.

Im not even sure that Merit is labeled for home gardens and edibles.

A simple, organic spray of kaolin clay (Surround WP) keeps leaf hoppers from feeding on my veggies.

@albert_135, yes. We use the 2 oz size and it lasts a really long time. It's highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way.

@Dave, true. Merit isn't going to be used on our veggies, but we have orchards and a vineyard. When the Depart of Agriculture knocks on your door, you do exactly what they say. We use it on our fruit trees and vineyard.

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7 Is this the kind of damage they do? The yellowing on the leaves below. This is my pole bean plant that is covered in sharpshooters and don't know why I have this yellowing going on. I could try that kaolin clay you mentioned, if it is. I also have them on another planter of red noodle chinese long beans.

I am glad to know they were not what was eating through the beans. Of course, that means something else was! I need a PhD in vermin! I also have cabbage moths so trying to figure out what is causing what damage!

Thanks everyone! This has been very helpful!

digdirt,

I said I haven't seen any damage, that doesn't mean they're not doing any. If it is a pest that needs large numbers to do noticeable damage, then I'd rather them not be able to establish the large numbers and instead take them out early. That is why I asked before doing anything. Besides, the comment after yours says the damage is usually not observable until it is too late! So it sounds like I should start killing them when I see them.

Because I also have cabbage moths, I started spraying with BT and I've noticed a dramatic reduction in the glassy winged sharpshooter on my two crop of long beans. It's only been a week and might be related to other factors, but just thought I'd mention it.

Shouldn't sharpshooters be reported to the Ag dept.? We had an outbreak several years ago and it was threatening all of our wine crops! It was brought under control. Nancy

nancyjane_gardener I don't know. I did ask the Master Gardener at UCDavis but haven't heard back yet.

Not everything needs a chemical, people. If it's just visiting and won't hurt what you're growing, then the chemicals will only poison your food. We need to think about why we grow our own food...taste, and no chemicals...don't jump to the nuclear option.