Leafhopper Species Associated with Avocados at Morelos, Mexico

Abstract

Abstract. The incidence of leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) on avocado, Persea americana Mill., is a phytosanitary problem of interest because of diverse damage to the leaves. Through direct sampling with aspirators and yellow sticky traps, diversity, damage, and abundance of leafhoppers were evaluated at six localities with different altitude gradients at Morelos, Mexico. Five leafhopper species belonging to the Typhlocybinae family were identified. Joruma krausi Ruppel & DeLong was the most abundant species and fed on and deformed vegetative buds. Idona minuenda (Ball) fed on and induced chlorotic spots on the face of mature leaves. Empoasca deskina DeLong & Guevara and Empoasca angustella DeLong caused chlorosis and curling with later necrosis and defoliation. Alconeura candida Ruppel & DeLong was collected from mature leaves and found only at one location, unlike the others that were found in the entire study area. We observed a tendency for a greater number of individuals at higher altitudes. Wi...