EMPOASCA (KYBOS) LUDA DAVIDSON AND DELONG - DISTRIBUTION AND HABITS OF AN IMMIGRANT BIRCH-FEEDING LEAFHOPPER IN NORTH-AMERICA (HOMOPTERA, CICADELLIDAE)

The typhlocybine leafhopper Empoasca (Kybos) luda Davidson and De-Long , though first described from the United States, is believed to be a n ative European species that has been accidentally introduced into Nort h America. New state records are given for Maryland, New York, and Pen nsylvania. Overwintering occurs in the egg stage, and first-generation adults appear from late May through June; a second generation is prod uced in mid-to late summer. Nymphs feed on! lower leaf surfaces of Eur opean white birch (Betula pendula Roth) in landscape plantings, causin g chlorosis on the upper surfaces. Taxonomic characters are provided t hat allow this minor pest to be distinguished from a generally more se rious pest of ornamental birches, the often co-occurring potato leafho pper, E. fabae (Harris).