Life cycle, population dynamics

• Mating of adults occurs in the evening, shortly after the last molt of the larvae. The male attracts the female with a song. The laying takes place during the months of August to October.

• The female lays her eggs under the bark where 6 to 12 eggs are deposited, attached to each other, perpendicular to the axis of the twig. These white eggs are elongated oval in shape and measure 130x35 microns, they are sunk deep into the wood and hidden under the bark of the twig (Figures 1 to 4). If there are too many clutches, the twig can dry out.

• The eggs hatch the following spring between late April and mid-May. The young larvae then migrate to low legume-like plants such as clover ( Trifolium sp.), Plantain ( Plantago sp.), Dandelion ( Taraxacum campylodes ), etc. There are five successive moults before reaching the adult stage in July-August.

• The development of the insect would be optimal at 19-20 ° C, the high temperatures (27-28 ° C) would be harmful to the larvae, as well as the episodes of drought. 

The eggs of leafhoppers bison can be parasitized by a wasp micro Chalcidian of the family Mymaridae, Polynema striaticorne Girault 1911. lacewings and predatory bugs feed on the larvae.