The Effect of Temperature on the Rate of Development of the Potato Leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)1

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Abstract
The potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), was reared over a 3-year period both in temperature-controlled cabinets and under known field conditions. In the laboratory, the relation between temperature and rate of development appeared to be linear at temperatures between 60° and 83°F; above 88° the rate of development decreased, and its maximum occurred probably at 86°. The base temperature for the species was approximately 52.5°. A thermal constant of 435 degree-days was established. Under field conditions, the computed thermal constant varied in magnitude, depending on the location of the recording instrument and the method of determining the mean daily temperature. Even when the official temperatures of a weather station situated 5–15 miles away from the fields were considered, the resulting thermal constant was fairly consistent over the 3-year period. On the basis of these results, if the peak oviposition date is known and if the official daily temperatures of a nearby weather station are used, the peak adult emergence of the developing leafhoppers can be expected when 480–500 degree-days (over a base of 52.5°F) have accumulated.