Distribution of Sharpshooters 1 in Florida Citrus Groves 2

Abstract

The distribution of sharpshooter species (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)was determined in Florida citrus groves to assess their role as possible vectors of citrus blight. In trap placement studies, Homalodisca coagulata (Say) was most frequently captured at 2 to 3 m above ground, Oncometopia nigricans (Walker) at 1 to 2 m, and H. insolita (Walker) at <1.0 m. The side of the tree on which the trap was placed had less effect on capture of these three species. Populations of O. nigricans and H. coagulata peaked in late spring and early summer, but H. coagulata became active somewhat late in the spring and was active longer during the summer. O. nigricans was active year-round in the Southeast Flatwoods, but was inactive in winter in the Ridge area in the center of the state. Populations of O. nisricans were 5 to 10 times higher in South and Southeast Flatwoods, where citrus blight is the most common, than in the North Ridge or the Central-South Ridge areas. Populations of H. coagulata were 2 to 3 times higher in the North Ridge area than in the Central-South Ridge or the South and Southeast Flatwoods.