Biological anomalies in the sugarcane leafhopper, Pyrilla perpusilla (Walker) due to parasitism by Fulgoraecia melanoleuca (Fletcher) (Lepidoptera: Epipyropidae)

Tarun Sharma,P S Shera

doi:10.1186/s41938-021-00486-3

Tarun Sharma, P S Shera

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s41938-021-00486-3

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Abstract

BackgroundFulgoraecia melanoleuca (Fletcher) (Lepidoptera: Epipyropidae) (= Epipyrops or Epiricania melanoleuca) is an important koinobiont nymphal and adult ectoparasitoid of sugarcane leafhopper, Pyrilla perpusilla (Walker) (Hemiptera: Lophopidae). The study aimed to evaluate whether and to what extent this parasitoid effects the fitness of immature (five nymphal stages) and adult (♂ and ♀) stages of its host P. perpusilla.ResultsThe nymphal mortality was significantly more in the younger nymphs, and it decreased as the host aged. The exposure of the first stage host nymphs to the parasitoid resulted in 100% mortality. However, the nymphal mortality rates in second, third, fourth and fifth nymphal stage were 94.0, 75.0, 38.0 and 41.0%, respectively. Furthermore, the longevity of surviving nymphs was prolonged significantly in the later stages. None of the parasitized first to fourth stage nymphs survived as normal adult. In case of the parasitized fifth nymphal stage, 18.0% adults were normal; however, their longevity was comparatively shorter than their un-parasitized counter parts. When male and female adults of leafhopper were offered to the parasitoid, significant differences were found in mortality of parasitized and un-parasitized adults for both sexes. Further, parasitoid-induced prolongation in the longevity of the surviving parasitized adults was also observed.ConclusionsOverall, the parasitoid F. melanoleuca had detrimental effects on host fitness and thus played a significant role as a biological control agent in suppressing the sugarcane leafhopper population. This study will clarify host-parasitoid relationship, developing mass rearing protocol under laboratory conditions and implementing effective strategies for augmentative releases of parasitoids in biological control program against P. perpusilla in sugarcane ecosystem.

Highlights

Fulgoraecia melanoleuca (Fletcher) (Lepidoptera: Epipyropidae) (= Epipyrops or Epiricania melanoleuca) is an important koinobiont nymphal and adult ectoparasitoid of sugarcane leafhopper, Pyrilla perpusilla (Walker) (Hemiptera: Lophopidae)
Parasitism effects on P. perpusilla nymphs Mortality as nymphs, intermediate forms or weak adults Significant differences were observed in the nymphal mortality when nymphs of various ages were offered to the parasitoid (F = 1485.0, df = 5, 24, p < 0.0001)
The exposure of first nymphal stage to the parasitoid resulted in 100% mortality within 2 days before any signs of parasitism which may be due to parasitoid-inflicted injuries

Summary

Introduction

Fulgoraecia melanoleuca (Fletcher) (Lepidoptera: Epipyropidae) (= Epipyrops or Epiricania melanoleuca) is an important koinobiont nymphal and adult ectoparasitoid of sugarcane leafhopper, Pyrilla perpusilla (Walker) (Hemiptera: Lophopidae). 1997), Nepal (Neupane 1976), Pakistan (Rasul et al 2014; Yaseen et al 2021), Sri Lanka (Ganehiarachchi and Fernando 2006), Thailand (Fennah 1963), Cambodia (Liang 1997) and Vietnam (Emeljanov 2018) Besides sugarcane, it has been reported on other alternate host crops like wheat, maize, sorghum, pearl millet, barley, bitter gourd, sponge gourd, okra, watermelon, pumpkin, rice, oat, peas, bamboo and wild grasses (Ganehiarachchi and Fernando 2006). The cane juice becomes high in glucose content and on gur making (concentrated product of cane juice); it gives a soggy mass which does not solidify properly reducing its economic value (Chaudhary and Sharma 1988)

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