Invasive pest threatens cotton in Georgia

A new pest is putting cotton production at risk in Georgia, United States. The insect Amrasca biguttula, known as The cotton leafhopper was first detected in the state in July 2025, in Seminole County. Since then, it has spread rapidly throughout the region's cotton belt.

The pest sucks sap from the leaves and injects toxins that cause yellowing, curling, and tissue death. This damage reduces photosynthesis, impairs boll development, and directly affects fiber yield and quality.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper urged farmers to be alert for symptoms of the infestation and to contact local agricultural extension offices if they spot the insect. According to Harper, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is working in partnership with the University of Georgia Extension Service (UGA) and the state Cotton Commission to develop management strategies.

The current situation worsens. Producers are already facing tight margins and low prices. The arrival of the leafhopper represents new insecticide costs and uncertainty in control—as there are still no consolidated recommendations for local conditions.

UGA experts are conducting field trials to evaluate the effectiveness of different products and define action thresholds. Preliminary results should guide integrated practices for controlling other common pests, such as bedbugs, whiteflies, and weevils.

For Jeremy Kichler, Colquitt County Rural Extension Coordinator, the pest surprised producers and is expected to cause losses in some areas. He explains that the reduction in leaf area limits the plant's energy production, which compromises boll filling and fiber quality.

It is believed that Amrasca biguttula, originally from the Indian subcontinent, reached the Americas through extreme weather events. The insect reached Florida before crossing the border into Georgia. Its rapid spread raised alarm among technicians and farmers.

Taxonomic classification of Amrasca biguttula (Ishida, 1913):

Animalia Kingdom

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Hemiptera

Family: Cicadellidae

Subfamily: Typhlocybinae

Genre: Amrasca

Species: Amrasca biguttula