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Research Project: Integrated Crop Disease Mitigation through Improved Understanding of Relationships between Genetics, Environment, and Management

Location: Soil Dynamics Research

Title: First molecular verification of the two-spot cotton leafhopper Amrasca biguttula (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in the United States

Author
item Zhao, Chaoyang
item Balkcom, Kipling

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/12/2026
Publication Date: 3/13/2026
Citation: Zhao, C., Balkcom, K.S. 2026. First molecular verification of the two-spot cotton leafhopper Amrasca biguttula (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in the United States. Insects. 17(3):313. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17030313.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17030313

Interpretive Summary: The cotton jassid is a damaging insect pest that causes serious yield losses in cotton and other crops across Asia and Africa. In 2023, it was first reported in Puerto Rico, and recent extension bulletins have noted its presence in several southern U.S. states, raising concerns for domestic cotton production. However, these reports were based only on morphological identification, without genetic confirmation. ARS scientists in Auburn, Alabama observed cotton jassid activity in a field in Macon County, collected specimens across multiple life stages, and used DNA barcoding to confirm the pest’s identity. This marks the first genetically verified record of the cotton jassid in the United States. The discovery underscores the need for increased monitoring and development of pest management strategies, and provides valuable information for regulators, researchers, and extension professionals working to mitigate the impact of this emerging pest.

Technical Abstract: This report contains the first molecular record of the cotton jassid, Amrasca biguttula (Hemipter: Cicadellidae), in the United States. Nymphs across multiple instars and adult specimens were collected from a cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) field in Macon County, Alabama, in August 2025. While distinct paired dark spots were observed on forewings of adult specimens, this trait was inconsistently present among nymphs. Cytochrome oxidase I (COI) DNA barcoding confirmed the specimen identity. The United States sequence shared > 99% identity with Asian A. biguttula references and clustering placed the sequence within the A. biguttula clade with 100% posterior probability support in phylogenetic analysis. Although this pest was previously reported in 2023 from Puerto Rico based solely on morphological traits, our findings provide the first DNA-confirmed evidence of its presence in the continental United States. Given its well-documented role in damaging cotton across Asia and Africa, this report underscores the urgent need for monitoring and development of management strategies in United States cotton-growing regions.