Abstract
Plant damages caused by leafhopper, Empoasca terminalis Distant (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) on soybean were first encountered in 2007 in Makassar, South Sulawesi. The insect has been constantly associated with soybean crops in the province ever since. The purposes of the present study were to (i) evaluate potential yield loss attributable to the leafhopper in an experimental set up, (ii) seasonal abundance of E. terminalis , and (iii) distribution of E. terminalis in all major soybean-producing areas in the province. Potential yield loss due to the leafhopper was assessed in a field experiment using two large plots. One of the plots was kept leafhopper-free by weekly insecticide sprays; and the other plot was left unsprayed to allow leafhopper infestation to occur. Adult abundance was weekly monitored using a sweep net throughout the season. Nymph abundance was determined by direct count on the plant leaves. Leafhopper distribution was assessed through surveys conducted in all major soybean-producing areas in South Sulawesi, from 2009–2013. The results of the study showed that E. terminalis caused an average yield loss of 26% on susceptible crops without insecticide use. First leafhopper infestation in all planting seasons occurred two weeks after the plant emergence. Rainfall negatively correlated with the leafhopper abundance. The leafhopper existed in all major soybean production areas in the province. Therefore, our results confirmed the status of E. terminalis as an important soybean pest in the region. In addition, crops planted early in the dry season could escape from heavy leafhopper infestation.
Highlights
Empoasca terminalis Distant (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) has been reported as a soybean pest in India (Parsai & Tiwari 2002)
Yield loss Weekly insecticide applications were capable of suppressing E. terminalis population to negligible levels
E. terminalis can be categorized as a new important pest of soybean in South Sulawesi, based on three reasons
Summary
Empoasca terminalis Distant (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) has been reported as a soybean pest in India (Parsai & Tiwari 2002). Empoasca terminalis was found with extremely high population of more than 10 individuals per trifoliate, inflicting physiological injury to plants in the form of hopperburn (Nasruddin 2010). The population level was well above the action thresholds of potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae) on soybean in the USA which vary by plant age. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first report of soybean crops damaged by E. terminalis in Indonesia. A subsequent survey conducted in 2008 showed that during a drought condition without insecticide applications, the insect can kill up to 24% of plant population and cause yield loss up to 70% on susceptible cultivar (Mahameru) (Nasruddin 2010)
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