Invasive Cotton Jassid is an Emerging Threat to Southeastern Cotton
(Updated: Sept. 2, 2025, 8:09 a.m.)
By Dominic Reisig and Guy Collins
A new invasive insect, the cotton jassid (Amrasca biguttula or two-spot cotton leafhopper), has recently spread from Florida into Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. While it has not yet been confirmed in North Carolina, growers should be aware of this pest as we move through the 2025 season.
What Crops Are at Risk?
Cotton is the primary concern, but cotton jassid also feeds on okra and eggplant. The insect is tiny and often overlooked, but its feeding can cause significant damage.
Image by Isaac Esquivel, U. of Florida.
How to Recognize Injury
Cotton jassids feed on the underside of leaves, injecting toxins as they feed. Symptoms include leaf yellowing and curling, commonly known as hopperburn. Severe infestations can cause leaf drop (defoliation), reducing yield potential.
Cotton jassid can reproduce rapidly, allowing populations to build quickly. In other parts of the world, uncontrolled infestations have led to major yield losses. This appears to be the case here in the US when it is not treated.
Early signs of hopperburn. Image by Phillip Roberts, U. of Georgia.
Severe hopperburn. Image by Phillip Roberts, U. of Georgia.
Current Scouting Thresholds
States where the insect is established are using preliminary thresholds of 1–2 nymphs per leaf or presence of jassids along with hopper burn symptoms. Scout 3-5 leaves from the top.
Management Outlook
If cotton jassid is confirmed in North Carolina, N.C. Cooperative Extension will provide insecticide recommendations and guidance on when fields should or should not be treated. Based on Extension trials in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, Bidrin at 6 oz is affordable, consistent, and effective. DO NOT SPRAY UNTIL THE INSECT IS IDENTIFIED IN YOUR FIELD. Because it is a tropical insect, cold winters may limit its ability to establish permanently in North Carolina, but survival through mild winters cannot be ruled out.
Stay alert for signs of hopper burn. If you suspect cotton jassid in your fields, contact your county Extension office immediately so samples can be confirmed. Early detection will help Extension and growers respond quickly and effectively.
