Aster leafhoppers can transmit a plant pathogen called aster yellows phytoplasma that causes economic losses to carrot and celery growers in Michigan. We are currently working on improving diagnostic methods to detect the phytoplasma in the leafhopper and surveying the leafhopper community to determine which species vector this disease. This project is lead by M.S. student, Patrick Stillson and is done in collaboration with Carolyn Malmstrom.