Technical Name: Sminthurus viridus
General:
Present throughout NZ but severe damage has been noted in Northland South Auckland Waikato and the Bay of Plenty and is a particular threat to White Clover and Lucerne in pastures.
Identification:
Up to 3 mm long and greenish/yellow in colour with irregular dark patches. Small cream coloured eggs can be found loose on the soil surface. The eggs hatch into small nymphs which look like minature adults. Clover damage appears as leaf flecking. Under severe attack leaves can appear white as all green tissue is removed from the leaf. The damage from this insect causes a reduction in palitablity to livestock.