Abstract
The corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is an important corn pest in most of tropical and subtropical America. This leafhopper has a rich natural enemy complex of which parasitoids and pathogens are the most studied; knowledge on its predators is limited. We noted the presence of the native assassin bug Zelus obscuridorsis (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) predating diverse motile insects, including the corn leafhopper, on corn plants cultivated in household vegetable gardens in San Miguel de Tucumán (Argentina); in order to verify its predatory actions, we exposed lab-bred individuals of D. maidis to adults of Z. obscuridorsis. The predators were starved for 24 h before trials in which the corn leafhopper in different developmental stages were exposed. Zelus obscuridorsis is highly skilled in catching specimens in motion, but it was not able to prey on eggs. The predator was capable to catch and prey on nymphs and adults.
Highlights
The corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis (DeLong and Wolcott) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), causes serious damage to corn crops in most of tropical and subtropical America
While monitoring infested corn plants cultivated in household vegetable gardens at San Miguel de Tucumán (Argentina), during the middle of spring 2012 (Oct), we noted the presence of a native assassin bug predating diverse mobile insects like aphids, flies and corn leafhoppers
In order to test the ability of the predator to catch and prey on D. maidis, we exposed lab-bred individuals of D. maidis at different stages of development to Z. obscuridorsis adults
Summary
The corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis (DeLong and Wolcott) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), causes serious damage to corn crops in most of tropical and subtropical America. While monitoring infested corn plants cultivated in household vegetable gardens at San Miguel de Tucumán (Argentina), during the middle of spring 2012 (Oct), we noted the presence of a native assassin bug predating diverse mobile insects like aphids, flies and corn leafhoppers. The aim of this contribution is to assess the predatory potential of Z. obscuridorsis on different stages of the corn leafhopper
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