The reed glasswing leafhopper is spreading further and further in German sugar beet growing regions. Current monitoring data show a continued spread of the reed glasswing leafhopper in regions of Bavaria, Hesse, Saxony-Anhalt, Lower Saxony, and the Rhineland growing area.
At the same time, the leafhopper flight began significantly earlier this year than in 2025. At many locations, the number of specimens caught was higher than the previous year, and in some cases, there were sharp population increases within just a few days. According to current assessments, the heat wave at the end of June appears to have significantly favored the leafhopper flight.
“Current developments show that the SBR complex remains the biggest agronomic challenge for German sugar beet cultivation. Experience from recent years makes it clear: only an integrated approach combining crop protection, crop rotation, plant strengthening, and breeding can effectively limit its spread,” explains Dr. Stefan Streng, Chairman of the German Sugar Industry Association (WVZ).
The WVZ (German Crop Protection Association) still sees a significant need for political action. Emergency authorizations must remain possible in 2027 as long as no permanently available and effective alternatives exist.
Furthermore, accelerated and simplified approval procedures for innovative crop protection solutions, increased public funding for research and breeding, and permanently practical regulations for fallow land are needed. Only with these framework conditions can the integrated approach against the SBR complex be effectively implemented.
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