Chironji (Buchanania lanzan Spreng.): a new host for Idiocerinae leafhopper Busoniomimus mudigerensis (Viraktamath) Hemiptera: Cicadellidae from India

Abstract

Idiocerinae leafhoppers are serious pests of economically important fruit crops like mango. Buchanania lanzan Spreng., commonly known as chironji is an underutilized potential dry fruit tree well known for its edible kernels with almond aroma. The Idiocerinae leafhopper species Busoniomimus mudigerensis (Viraktamath) was found to be feeding and damaging the Buchanania lanzan trees in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Continuous feeding of nymphs and adults on the tender shoots and leaves resulted in characteristic white speckles on the upper surface of the leaf, downward leaf curling, withering, and drying of tender shoots. Excessive honeydew secretion by nymphs and adults also favored the growth of sooty mold on leaf surfaces were observed under field conditions. Also, the leafhopper genus and species were documented as a new record from North India (Jhansi: Uttar Pradesh) in the present study. Which was earlier restricted only to southern Indian state Karnataka. Taxonomic descriptions for a female are given in this study which is unknown from the original descriptions and the male characters are redescribed with photographic illustrations.