New Pest Found in Georgia

Georgia Issues Pest Alert for Invasive Brown Winged Plant Hopper

The Georgia Department of Agriculture has released a Pest Alert concerning the recent detection of the Brown Winged Plant Hopper, an invasive insect species native to China. This pest poses potential risks to Georgia’s agriculture and landscape plants, making awareness and early reporting essential.

According to the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the Brown Winged Plant Hopper has been found on over 200 plant species across 81 plant families and has already spread to several countries including France, Italy, Japan, Russia, South Korea and Turkey. Notably, South Korea has reported the species as a damaging pest to fruit trees, raising concerns about the possible impact on Georgia’s orchards and commercial fruit production.

The department states, “At this time, we do not know the effect it will have on Georgia’s agriculture. The purpose of this alert is to provide information to agriculture sectors and encourage reporting finds to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.” This uncertainty makes monitoring crucial for farmers, nursery growers, landscapers and homeowners.

Host Plants and Plant Damage

While the Brown Winged Plant Hopper shows a strong preference for fruit trees and woody ornamentals, it is also known to affect shrubs, vines and herbaceous plants. The Georgia Department of Agriculture explains, “This pest causes direct damage by sucking plant sap and by damaging young branches when females insert their eggs. It also, indirectly induces the development of sooty mold on leaves as a result of honeydew secretion.”

Eggs laid by the pest are elongate oval, cloudy white, and inserted deep into plant tissue in two neat rows, typically 20–30 eggs in an alternating pattern. They are covered with discarded plant material and fluffy white wax deposits, making them identifiable but often hidden.

What Producers Should Do

Early detection is vital to protect Georgia’s agriculture and landscape industries. Producers and residents who suspect they have found the Brown Winged Plant Hopper are asked to email a photograph to pestid@agr.georgia.gov or contact their local county extension agent for guidance.

Staying informed and reporting potential sightings will help minimize the possible spread of this invasive insect across Georgia.

Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.