Leafhopper Research Articles

Leafhoppers and cixiids in phytoplasma-infected carrot fields: Species composition and potential phytoplasma vectors

The first molecular analysis of samples collected in southern Backa (Serbia) confirmed the presence of aster yellows (16SrI) and stolbur phytoplasmas (16SrXII) in insects belonging to the family Cicadellidae, as well as in carrot plants where the insects were collected. A correct identification of the phytoplasmas and their vectors is essential to arrange effective control strategies to prevent diseases associated with phytoplasmas from spreading to carrots and other vegetable crops. In order to enhance knowledge about insect vectors of aster yellows and stolbur phytoplasmas in Serbia, Cicadellidae and Cixiidae (Homoptera Auchenorrhyncha), the most common vectors of these phytoplasmas, were monitored in southern Backa during 2008. Adults leaf- and planthoppers were collected and identified at species level using standard entomological methods, and tested for phytoplasma presence by means of PCR/RFLP. A total of 13 insect species of Cicadellidae were identified, as follows: a) three species of the subfamily Agallinae: Anaceratagallia ribauti (Ossiannilsson), Anaceratagallia venosa (Fourcroy), and Anaceratagallia laevis (Ribaut); b) seven species of the subfamily Deltocephalinae: Psammotettix confinis (Dahlbom), Psammotettix striatus (Linnaues) Psammottettix alienus (Dahlbom), Macrosteles sexnotatus (Fall?n), Ophiola decumana (Kontkanen), Errastunus ocellaris Fall?n, and Scaphoideus titanus Ball; c) three species of the subfamily Typhlocibinae: Eupteryx atropunctata (Goeze), Eupteryx mellissae Curtis, Zyginidia pullula (Boheman). Female specimens of the genus Euscelis (Deltocephalinae) were also collected, as well as one species of Reptalus quinquecostatus (Dufour) of the family Cixiidae. Stolbur phytoplasmas were detected in A. laevis, A. ribauti, A. venosa, P. striatus, P. confinis and P. alienus. The species: A. laevis, O. decumana, and P. confinis were AY-infected (subgroup 16SrI-A), while subgroup 16SrI-C was found only in one specimen of P. confinis. Since some aster yellows- and stolbur-infected species of the genera Psammotettix and Anaceratagallia (especially P. confinis and A. laevis) were regularly and commonly found in the infected carrot fields during the whole vegetative period, they could play a significant role in transmitting and spreading these pathogens in natural environment.

Levantamento populacional de cigarrinhas (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) associadas à transmissão de Xylella fastidiosa em pomares cítricos do Litoral Norte da Bahia

The causal agent of citrus variegated clorosis, Xylella fastidiosa, is transmitted by leafhoppers of the subfamily Cicadellinae, whose species vary regionally. The goal of this study was to identify potential vectors of this pathogen in citrus groves of Bahia North Coast, Brazil. The survey was done from March/2002 to February/2003 in three seven- to nine-year-old sweet orange (Citrus sinensis, Pêra variety) groves located in Rio Real, BA. Fifteen yellow sticky cards (8.5x11.5 cm) were installed 40 m apart in each grove, hanged at 1.5 m high on the upper north side of citrus canopies, and replaced fortnightly. A sweep net was periodically used to sample leafhoppers on herbaceous weeds inside the groves, by selecting five points at random and performing 30 sweeps in each point. A total of 1,360 specimens of 49 Auchenorrhyncha species were collected in this study, mostly in the family Cicadellidae (90.2%). The subfamily Cicadellinae, which includes the sharpshooter vectors of X. fastidiosa, showed the largest number of species (14) and specimens (84.8%). Acrogonia flagellata Young, A. citrina Marucci & Cavichioli, Homalodisca spottii Takiya, Cavichioli & McKamey and an unidentified Cicadellini (species 1) were the dominant species trapped on citrus canopies, while Hortensia similis (Walker) and Erythrogonia dubia (Medler) were dominant in the weedy vegetation. Among the Cicadellinae species already known as vectors of X. fastidiosa in citrus, only A. citrina, Bucephalogonia xanthophis (Berg) e Ferrariana trivittata (Signoret) were found. The two latter species were accidentally trapped by sweep net in the weedy vegetation.

Effect of weather parameters on population dynamics of green leaf hopper and white backed plant hopper in paddy grown in middle Gujarat region

Nephotettix virescens Distant and Sogatella furcifera (Horv) commonly known as Green leaf hopper (GLH) and White backed plant hopper (WBPH) respectively. These are the serious pests of kharif paddy all over the world causing extensive losses. The population dynamics of Green leaf hopper and white backed plant hopper for ten consecutive years (1994 to 2004) except for 1997 were correlated with the weather parameters like maximum and minimum temperature, rainfall, relative humidity and bright sunshine hours. The results revealed that the bright sunshine hours had a positive significant correlation (r=0.166) with the population dynamics of GLH. The correlation between WBPH peak population and bright sunshine hours also showed positive significantcorrelation (r=0.269), while maximum temperature, minimum temperature, rainfall and relative humidity showed non-significant effect on population build up of both GLH and WBPH. Green leaf hopper attained peak population during 43rdstandard meteorological week; whereas white backed plant hopper reached peak population during 39th standard meteorological week and decreased considerably thereafter.

COTTON VIRESCENCE PHYTOPLASMA AND ITS WEED RESERVOIR IN MALI

A phytoplasma associated with cotton virescence disease was identified in several cotton plants showing virescence, stunting, yellowing and reddening in the cotton-growing areas of Yanfolila and Kolondjeba, in the Bougouni Region (south west Mali). The agent was detected by PCR with phytoplasma universal primer pairs and identified as a 16SrII-C subgroup member by RFLP of PCR fragments separately digested with MseI, AluI, HhaI and HpaII restriction enzymes. The same phytoplasma was found in Sida cordifolia, a weed that can act as a reservoir. The spatial distribution of infected plants in a field was aggregated along the rows. A higher number of infected plants was present on the border rows, suggesting that primary infections are probably more important than secondary spread from cotton to cotton. The incidence of the disease in Mali cotton-growing areas fluctuates, but in some fields up to 50% of the plants were infected. We observed more infected plants in organic cotton. This can be due to the use of neem as insecticide, which is ineffective against leafhopper adults that spread the disease.

Phylogeny and systematics of the leafhopper subfamily Ledrinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Ledrinae represent a relatively small subfamily within the very large and diverse leafhopper family Cicadellidae. Prior to this study, the subfamily contained approximately 450 species in 5 tribes and 73 genera distributed worldwide, but primarily in Australia, Africa, and the Indomalayan region. Several authors have suggested Ledrinae are not monophyletic, and recent studies based on molecular and morphological data have called the existing classification into question. The goals of this study were to collect and analyze morphological data under rigorous phylogenetic criteria in order to test the monophyly of Ledrinae, provide robust definitions for the subfamily and its tribes, and provide a phylogenetic framework for understanding relationships among these leafhoppers. New phylogenetic hypotheses are presented here regarding the monophyly of Ledrinae and its included tribes. A total of 235 morphological characters were coded for 60 species from 31 genera in the tribes Ledrini and Petalocephalini, 5 species from the tribes Stenocotini, Thymbrini, and Xerophloeini, and 10 species selected as outgroups from various other cicadellid subfamilies. Data were analyzed in PAUP*, resulting in a single completely resolved topology with many well-supported nodes. Ledrinae, as previously defined, were found to be polyphyletic with respect to Stenocotini, Thymbrini, and various ledrine genera, which were placed with the outgroup taxa. Stenocotini and Thymbrini were placed with Tartessinae, agreeing with results of other recent studies. Rubria, Hespenedra, and the Afrorubria genus group formed independent lineages within Ledrinae. The tribe Xerophloeini was placed as a basal lineage within Ledrinae closely associated with the Afrorubria group. Ledrini and Petalocephalini, as previously defined, did not form monophyletic lineages, but were randomly interspersed (paraphyletic) with respect to one another. Stenocotini and Thymbrini are here removed to the subfamily Tartessinae, and Petalocephalini is made a synonym of Ledrini. The new tribes Afrorubrini, Hespenedrini, and Rubrini are described within Ledrinae by the first author, and several new informal genus groups are named. Within Ledrini, Epiclinata Metcalf is made a synonym of Tituria Stål, Epiclinata planata (Fabricius) and Epiclinata flavomarginata Kuoh & Cai are moved to Tituria, Tituria obtusa Walker is moved to Thlasia Germar, and two additional species are included in Latycephala McKamey as new combinations. Taxa placed outside of Ledrinae in this analysis are removed to other subfamilies or considered unplaced within Cicadellidae. This newly revised classification strengthens hypotheses that the Ledrinae are a very old group within Cicadellidae. As here defined, the subfamily includes five tribes with a total of 38 genera and approximately 300 species.

Character selection by information content in the numerical taxonomy of some male Batracomorphus (Homoptera: Cicadellidae

An attempt has been made to see how far taxonomic characters can be weighted by calculating their information content, as measured by methods due to Gyllenberg, Brillouin, and Shannon and Weaver. Thirty-nine species and subspecies of Batracomorphus were defined initially by 104 qualitative: characters. Subsets of 25 characters with the highest information content were then selected and ordinations of the taxa were made by principal coordinate component analysis for each subset. These ordinations were then compared with others based on randomly selected subsets of 25 characters as well as on the entire reference set of 104 characters. The results show that subsets of 25 characters with high information content yield ordinations that are similar to that based on the entire set and differ from those derived from randomly selected subsets. It follows that classifications based on characters of high information content will be relatively stable, showing little change when other characters of low information content are also included. It also appears that the characters with high information content correspond well to those that have been weighted more heavily in traditional, non-numerical classifications of the genus. Zusammenfassung Informationsgehalt als Kriterium fur die Auswahl von Merkmalen fur die numerische Taxonomie, dargestellt an einigen mannlichen Tieren von Batracomorphus (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) Es wurde der Versuch unternommen, den Informationsgehalt taxonomischer Merkmale mit Hilfe der Berechnungsmethoden von Gyllenberg, Brillouin and Shannon and Weaver abzuschatzen. Zunachst wurden 39 Arten and Unterarten der Gaming Batracomorphus aufgrund von 104 qualitativen Merkmalen definiert. Anschlieisend wurde eine Teilmenge von 25 Charakteren, die den hochsten Informationsgehalt hatten, ausgewahlt und die Taxa nach einer Komponentenanalyse gruppiert. Diese Gruppierungen wurden dann mit anderen Anordnungen verglichen, die entweder auf 25 zufallig ausgewahlten Merkmalen oder auf samtlichen 104 Merkmalen basierten. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, das die Gruppierung aufgrund der 25 Merkmale mit hohem Informationsgehalt sehr ahnlich ist der, die auf samtlichen Merkmalen beruht, aber von der Gruppierung nach 25 zufalligen Merkmalen verschieden ist. Daraus folgt, das eine auf Merkmalen mit grosern Informationsgehalt gestutzte Klassifikation relativ stabil ist und sich wenig andert, wenn andere Merkmale mit geringem Informationsgehalt mit einbezogen werden. Es zeigt sich auch, das die “hochinformativen” Merkmale (im Sinne Brillouin et al.), denjenigen Merkmalen entsprechen, die auch in der nichtnumerischen Taxonomie der Gattung Batracomorphus traditionell fur wichtig gehalten werden.

Epidemiological aspects of garlic decline disease caused by a phytoplasma in Asiatic and Argentinean garlic cultivars

Fil: Galdeano, Ernestina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas; Argentina

Diyarbakır, Elazığ ve Mardin illeri bağ alanlarında bulunan Cicadellidae (Homoptera) türleri

Summary This study was conducted to determine species belonging to family Cicadellidae (Homoptera) inhabiting vineyards in Diyarbakir, Elazig and Mardin provinces (Turkey) between 2006 and 2007. In total, 34 leaf hoppers species from seven subfamilies Aphrodinae, Deltocephalinae, Hecalinae, Idiocerinae, Megophthalminae, Stegelytrinae and Typhlocybinae were recorded in these provinces. The distribution of collected species in each province varied greatly; these were in total, 22 species from six subfamilies recorded at seven sampling locations in Diyarbakir, 15 species from two subfamilies recorded at four sampling locations in Elazig, 23 species from six subfamilies at seven sampling locations in Mardin.

Nota sinonímica em Chinaia Bruner & Metcalf (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Neocoelidiinae)

A new synonym is proposed: Chinaia caprella Kramer, 1958 = Neocoelidiana chlorata DeLong & Kolbe, 1975 syn. nov. The species is redescribed and illustrated.

Documentation of brochosomes within Hemiptera, with emphasis on Heteroptera (Insecta)

Brochosomes, small secretory particles often found in abundance on the integument of leafhoppers, are currently considered a unique feature of the family Cicadellidae. The present work documents, for the first time, brochosomes in two other groups of Hemiptera, i.e. Psylloidea and Heteroptera. In Heteroptera the occurrence of relatively large amounts of brochosomes on various body parts is documented in several species of different families. Morphological structures of the legs and the setation are illustrated in detail and compared to those of Cicadellidae. The results are based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination of museum specimens. The possible function of brochosomes within Hemiptera is briefly discussed.

Regulated Deficit Irrigation and Density of <I>Erythroneura</I> spp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) on Grape

This study looked at regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on leafhoppers in the genus Erythroneura (Erythroneura elegantula Osborn, or western grape leafhopper, and Erythroneura variabilis Beamer) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), which are serious pests of cultivated grape (Vitis vinifera L.) in California. RDI is an irrigation strategy that reduces irrigation during a critical point in the phenology of a cultivated perennial crop, to improve vegetative balance and crop quality. Erythroneura spp. are known to respond negatively to vine water stress, and the second generation ofleafhoppers begins during a potential RDI initiation period, between berry set and veraison (beginning of fruit maturation). In experiments at commercial wine grape vineyards, I imposed deficits of between 25 and 50% of crop full evapotranspiration (ET(c)) between berry set and veraison, with control treatments based on the growers' standard irrigations (typically between 0.8 and 1.0 ET(c)), and then we counted leafhopper nymphs weekly, and leafhopper eggs after the second generation. Results show a consistent reduction of second generation nymphal density with this type of RDI, with average density approximately 50% lower under deficit treatments in all three studies. Deficit irrigation reduced second generation egg density by 54% at one site and by 29.9% at another. These results confirm previous studies regarding the sensitivity of Erythroneura spp. to grapevine water stress, and, in addition, they show that a season-wide irrigation deficit is not necessary for reduction in leafhopper density. Results suggest that lower oviposition at least partly explains the lower nymphal density in the deficit treatments.

The leafhopper subgenus Empoasca (Matsumurasca) from China (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae: Empoascini), with descriptions of three new species

The empoascine leafhopper subgenus Empoasca (Matsumurasca) Anufriev is redescribed. Four species, including three new species from China are reported: E. (M.) clypeata sp. nov., E. (M.) biloba sp. nov. and E. (M.) quadrifida sp. nov. New distributional records for E. (M.) onukii Matsuda are provided. A key to distinguish all species of the subgenus worldwide is also provided.

Timing of Prescribed Burns Affects Abundance and Composition of Arthropods in the Texas Hill Country

Prior research has demonstrated that fire can be an important structuring force for plant communities in prairies and grasslands. However, investigations of land-management techniques, such as prescribed fire, often overlook responses of local fauna, particularly the arthropods. In this study, we examined a previously unappreciated, although potentially important, component of fire ecology by asking, does the timing of prescribed burns alter community structure of arthropods? At a site in the Texas Hill Country, we used sweep-net sampling to collected arthropods from experimental plots that had been treated with a summer-burn or winter-burn regime. Summer-burn plots supported >170% more individual arthropods than winter burns. Although overall diversity of arthropods did not significantly differ between treatments, there were significantly more carnivorous arthropods and marginally more herbivorous arthropods after fire in summer relative to fire in winter. Effects of timing were particularly strong for Cicadellidae (leaf hoppers) and Tetragnathidae (long-jawed spiders). Our results demonstrate that timing of prescribed fire can substantially alter composition of resident communities of arthropods. Furthermore, these data highlight the importance of examining composition of the community, in addition to diversity indices, when assessing response of arthropods to land-management techniques.

Management of Pyrilla perpusilla Walker in sugarcane with ecto-parasitoid Epiricania melanoleuca Fletcher during epidemics in sub-tropical India

The bio-suppression of sugarcane leaf hopper, Pyrilla perpusilla Walker during epidemics in 2007 by its potential nymphal and adult ecto-parasitoid, Epiricania melanoleuca Fletcher in command area of three sugar mills of Uttar Pradesh covering an area of approximately 40,000 ha with commendable success could serve as a model for pest management in other areas also. The sugarcane Pyrilla, which initially appeared on wheat, fodder sorghum, barley and grown up sugarcane, later migrated to autumn, spring plant and ratoon during March-April. The over wintering population of nymphs survived to a great extent due to mild winter which favored the fast multiplication of nymphs into adults. These nymphs developed into adults during March and started breeding profusely and caused the havoc. The population of Pyrilla and its parasitoid was assessed during rapid roving survey. The leaves bearing parasitoids were redistributed in sugarcane fields @ 5000 cocoons + 5 lacs eggs/ha or 10000 cocoons/ha in absence of eggs of Epiricania. The E. melanoleuca played a major role to control the Pyrilla population. The insecticidal spraying operation, which was not recommended, resulted in a saving of about Rs.1600/ha besides avoiding environmental pollution. The splendid control of the Pyrilla epidemic has once again proved that conservation of natural enemies and augmentation through field redistribution could be effective components in bio-suppression of Pyrilla. Hence, it is inferred that if ecto-parasitoid Epiricania melanoleuca cocoon is available in field @1–5/leaf at Pyrilla population level ranging from 20 to 150 nymphs+adults/leaf, the insecticides should not be sprayed at all.

Incidência de <em>Dilobopterus costalimai</em> Young e <em>Acrogonia citrina</em> Marucci & Cavichioli, em pomares cítricos no noroeste paranaense

The sharpshooters of the families Cicadellidae and Cercopidae are vectors of Xylella fastidiosa (Wells), which causes citrus variegated chlorosis. This disease causes severe damage to the Paraná citrus industry, and it has been studied in Brazil since 1987, when it was discovered for the first time in the area of Colina, SP. The vectors transmit X. fastidiosa when they feed on the xylem sap, where the bacteria settles, obstructing the passage of the sap. This work had the objective of evaluating the occurrence of the vector sharpshooter Dilobopterus costalimai and Acrogonia citrina in a commercial citrus orchard during the period between July 2004 and August 2006. The experiment was accomplished in the Laranjeiras I farm, in the city of Nova Esperança, northwestern Paraná. The collections were undertaken monthly, and yellow stick traps (Biocontrole®) was used as a sampling method in Folha murcha, Valência, Pêra and Natal oranges trees [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck]. In Pêra and Valência trees, the most often captured sharpshooter was Dilobopterus costalimai. The months of higher occurrence of these species were between December and May of each year.

Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma

Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma

Host specificity of Anagrus epos: a potential biological control agent of Homalodisca vitripennis

Anagrus epos Girault (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) is a candidate for a classical biological control program targeting the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), in California. Because mass production of GWSS is expensive and labor-intensive, a factitious host that is more economical to produce is desirable to mass produce A. epos for colonization and augmentation efforts. Here, we report the results of host specificity tests and potential rearing techniques for A. epos under laboratory conditions. Females discriminated and oviposited into eggs of seven cicadellid species: H. vitripennis, Circulifer tenellus (Baker), Erythroneura variabilis Beamer, Amblysellus grex (Oman), Graphocephala atropunctata (Signoret), Macrosteles severini Hamilton, and H. liturata Ball, and two cerambycid species: Phoracantha recurva Newman and P. semipunctata (F.). Anagrus epos successfully completed development in the eggs of H. vitripennis, C. tenellus, E. variabilis, A. grex, G. atropunctata, M. severini, and H. liturata. The use of a factitious host and potential nontarget effects of this generalist parasitoid are discussed.

Controle químico da cigarrinha-do-milho e incidência dos enfezamentos causados por molicutes

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a eficiência do tratamento inseticida de sementes de milho no controle de Dalbulus maidis e na redução da incidência de enfezamentos em viveiro telado e em campo. Foram realizados dois experimentos; no experimento 1, em viveiro telado, sementes de milho foram tratadas com imidacloprid e thiamethoxan e, nessas plantas, cigarrinhas sadias, cigarrinhas infectantes com fitoplasma ou com espiroplasma foram confinadas. Avaliaram-se eficiência de controle, incidência de plantas com enfezamentos, altura das plantas e produção de grãos. No experimento 2, em campo, imidacloprid e thiamethoxan foram utilizados em tratamento de sementes e pulverizações aos 10 e 20 dias após a semeadura. A incidência de enfezamentos e a produção de grãos foram avaliadas. Em viveiro telado, os produtos imidacloprid e thiamethoxan proporcionaram controle de adultos de D. maidis acima de 50%, até o trigésimo dia, e reduziram a incidência de doenças e danos no crescimento e produção das plantas infectadas expostas às cigarrinhas infectantes aos dois dias após a emergência. Em campo, não foi constatada redução na incidência de enfezamentos ou ganho em produção, possivelmente devido ao fluxo migratório de cigarrinhas infectantes.

Etiology and transmission of mottle streak disease of finger millet (Eleusine coracana Gaertn.)

Four stages in the development of symptoms commencing from small specks to total yellowing were observed in finger millet infected by mottle streak disease. Presence of bacilliform Rhabdovirus particles was ascertained under electron microscope in all the leaf samples that exhibited varying degrees of mottle streak infection, viz. mottling, streaking, striping and yellowing. Different buffers at various pH were attempted for mechanical transmission on monocotyledon plants and weeds as well as on dicotyledon local lesion hosts. The results indicated that the virus could not be transmitted by sap. The leaf hopper Cicadulina bipunctella was found to transmit the virus efficiently up to 80%. The virus vector relationship revealed that 72 h of acquisition access period, 5 days of inoculation access period and nearly 30 days of incubation in the host were required for attaining efficient transmission.

Microbial Control of Sucking Pests Using Entomopathogenic Fungi

Sucking pests cause serious damage to several agricultural, horticultural and plantation crops either by direct feeding or by transmitting plant viral diseases. Since sucking pests likc plant and leaf hoppers, aphids, whiteflies, scale insects, thrips and mites to have developed resistance to insecticides, biological control using microbial pathogens, particularly funga1 pathogens like Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae , and Verticillium lecanil , has been explored for a number of pests. Several commercial formulations based on entomopathogenic fungi were developed for the control of sucking pests in different countries. Mycotrol and Botanigard based on B. bassiana, Mycotal based on V. lecanii and PFR-97 and Pae-Sin based on Paecilomyces fumosoroseus were developed for the control of whiteflies, aphids and thrips in USA, Europe and Brazil. In India, Fusarium pallidoroseum was found effective in controlling cowpea aphid ( Aphis craccivora ) in Kerala. Hirsllte thompsinii has been tried against the coconut eriophyid mite, but not found very promising. The wetland ecosystems like the rice fields as well as the sugarcane ecosystem have been found ideal for the use of M. anisopliae against sucking pests. M. anisopliae and B. bassiana were found to infect the sugarcane woolly aphid ( Ceratovacuna lanigera ) but these were also pathogenic to potential predators like Dipha aphidivoru and Micromus and hence cannot be recommended. Apart from these fungi, entomophthoralean fungi like Erynia neoaphidis, Neozygifes fresenii and Zoophthora radicans are reported to cause epizootics in several aphid species in nature. Fungal pathogens occur very widely in nature and there is a wide scope for isolating strains of fungal pathogens with enhanced virulence as well as desired cultural characteristics. Fungal formulations developed as microbial insecticides should possess good fluid stability and shelf life. Oil formulations have been found to be more effective against target pests even under low RH and aso possess a good shelf life. Since the muscardine fungi are pathogenic to beneficial insects like silk worms, honey bees, pollinators, as well as predators like coccinellids, utmost care should be exercised. Other pathogens like entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) have been considered for the management of sucking pests but not with much success. The chance of acquisition of bacterial and viral pathogens into the gut of the sucking pests is limited and hence these pathogens have not been considered for the manllgement of sucking pests. Infectivity of protozoans to sucking pests has been rarely reported. The current status of microbial control of sucking pests and the future prospects are reviewed in this paper.