Diversity and temporal variations of the leafhopper fauna (Cicadellidae, Auchenorrhyncha, Hemiptera) in two ecological zones of Egypt

Abstract

ABSTRACT Leafhoppers constitute one of the largest and most common groups of plant sap-sucking pests found in wild and agricultural habitats. They cause damage to plants directly through feeding and oviposition or indirectly through transmission of dangerous plant pathogens. The present study aims to list, assess and compare the diversity and temporal fluctuations of the cicadellid species associated with different cultivated agronomic crops in two governorates (Qena and Alexandria), representing two different Egyptian ecological zones. By light trapping, 33 species (four species identified only to the genus level) belonging to 22 genera, 12 tribes and 4 subfamilies were collected from six field sites throughout the year 2018. The most common leafhopper species was Empoasca decipiens, composing 51.3% of the total individuals collected, while the other 32 species encompassed 48.7%. Although a significant difference was found in the species richness of leafhoppers between the two governorates, none was found for abundance, species diversity or evenness. A cluster analysis derived from similarity of species composition of cicadellid communities showed a clear grouping of the study sites in each ecological zone. Furthermore, significant differences were found between the community structures in Qena and Alexandria governorates (analysis of similarities [ANOSIM], R = 0.722). A similar population pattern was observed for both governorates. Generally, the density of nearly all cicadellids showed unimodal seasonal patterns with one peak in midsummer (July or August). Spearman’s rank correlation analysis showed significant positive relationships between abundance of cicadellids and temperatures in both governorates; however, no correlation with humidity was found. This is the first faunal and systematic study conducted on a diverse range of leafhopper species collected from different cultivated agronomic crops in two Egyptian governorates.