There have been some reports of potato leafhopper activity and plant injury in Iowa alfalfathis season. Some fields experienced winter injury and the cooler spring provided a slowstart to plant growth in 2019. It is time to think about assessing alfalfa stands. Potatoleafhoppers (Photo 1) do not overwinter in Iowa, but they are persistent alfalfa pests everygrowing season. Storms along the Gulf of Mexico bring adult potato leafhoppers north anddrop them into fields every spring. Heat or drought stress can make alfalfa moresusceptible to injury, and plants are more likely to experience injury after the first cutting.Current climate conditions and harvest activities in Iowa align with these factors, makingscouting critical to ensure yield protection.