FWIW I haven't found leafhoppers to cause significant damage, even when they were abundant in my perennial garden. They can vector virus in vegetables, and can be a serious pest of beets from what I've read. Flea beetles seem to do a lot more direct damage to veggies here. We've always had leafhoppers pinging about in the tall herbs/grass at some point in the season, but I had no trouble with my beets I grew last year. Maybe different species?
I don't know where leafhoppers fit exactly in the beneficial insect food chain, but if they are harmless (relatively) in my garden, and attract some of the good guys, then they're okay by me. YMMV of course, and if I did see any damages caused by these, I would feel differently no doubt.
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