A devastating outbreak of the two-spotted leafhopper is plowing through okra farms across eastern counties of South Carolina, resulting in yellowing leaves, reduced yields and, in some cases, complete crop loss.
The small, slender, pale green insect, also referred to as the cotton jassid, migrated north from Florida where it was initially detected in the United States. In addition to okra, the pest also affects other crops including cotton, eggplants and sunflowers.
Growers and Clemson Extension agents are currently using Beleaf, a Group 29 insecticide labeled for vegetables and effective against the insects to prevent feeding on plants…