Laboratory Life Table Studies of the Blackfaced Leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) on Johnsongrass and Corn

Abstract

Laboratory life tables were constructed for Graminella nigrifrons (Forbes) using Johnsongrass and corn as hosts. Daily mortality and fecundity schedules were established to estimate net reproductive rate and instantaneous rate of population increase on each host. Nymphal mortality on Johnsongrass was greatest in the fifth instar. In general, nymphal mortality was higher on corn and was greatest in the second, third, and fourth instars. Net reproductive rate and instantaneous rate of population increase were higher on Johnsongrass than on corn. This was attributed to higher probabilities of survival to the midpoint of any stage or age interval and higher numbers of female eggs per female per week on Johnsongrass. Mean generation time was essentially the same for each host.