Literature is reviewed and data presented on the development of potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), sampling programs. Historically, potato leafhopper sampling studies can be classified by their objectives: biological investigations, management decision making, and population dynamics research. The problem of sampling the egg stage, and the use of the D-Vac suction sampler and the sweep net to measure adult population density are specifically discussed in relation to recent investigations. Larger sizes of D-Vac sample units decreased catch efficiency, however catch efficiency did not significantly vary with size of sweep sample units. The best regression model relating sweep counts to density was y = 20.22x^0.574, where y = adults/m² and x = adults/sweep. An extraction technique is described to process egg samples more efficiently. We conclude that although new sampling techniques are available, the lack of knowledge concerning behavior in particular makes interpretation of potato leafhopper sampling results difficult.