Leafhopper Species Research Articles

Review of the leafhopper genus Longicornus Li Song (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) with description of two new species.

The leafhopper species of genus Longicornus Li Song, 2008 are reviewed, and two new species: Longicornus furcatus sp. nov. and L. biprocessus sp. nov. are described and illustrated from China. A new synonym is revealed, Longicornus yunnanensis Xing Li, 2011 is a junior synonym of Longicornus flavipuncatus Li Song, 2008. A key is given to distinguish all species of the genus.

Rice growth stages and temperature affect the abundance of leafhoppers and plant hoppers

Relative abundance of leaf and plant hoppers species regarding plant growth stages and temperature were studied in the rice variety BINA10 field at the research farm of Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) during October 2013 to April 2014. The percent relative abundance of leafhoppers was in the rank order of M. dorsalis> C. brevis> N. virescens> N. malayanus> N. cincticeps> N. nigropictus at seedling, early and maximum tillering stages while N. virescens> C. brevis> M. dorsalis> N. nigropictus> N. malayanus> N. cincticeps at reproductive stage. The percent relative abundance of planthoppers was in the rank order of N. nervosa> N. lugens> S. furcifera at seedling and reproductive stages while N. lugens> N. nervosa> S. furcifera at early tillering and N. nervosa> S. furcifera and N. lugens at maximum tillering stages. The abundance of all leafhopper species showed highly negative relationship with temperature. This relationship can be expressed by 81% (R2=0.806) for N. virescens, 80% (R2= 0.801) for N. nigropictus, 65% (R2=0.653) for N. cincticeps, 60% (R2=0.600) for C. brevis and 70% (R2=0.698) for M. dorsalis. Among three planthopper species, population of S. furcifera showed highly negative relationship with temperature and this relationship can be expressed by 71% (R2=0.707). The abundance of N. nervosa showed poor positive relationship with temperature. This relationship can be expressed by 3 % for N. nervosa (R2=0.030). N. lugens showed poor negative relationship with temperature and this relationship can be expressed by 31% (R2=0.310) for N. lugens.SAARC J. Agri., 16(1): 95-104 (2018)

Descriptions of two new leafhopper species of the genus Flaviata Lu Qin (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Typhlocybinae) from Southern China,with a key to known species.

Two new species of the empoascine leafhopper genus Flaviata, F. furcata Xu, Lu Qin, sp. n. and F. sinuata Xu, Dietrich Qin, sp. n., are described from southern China. Habitus photos and illustrations of male genitalia and a key to the known species of the genus, based on male genitalia, are also provided.

Three new species of the leafhopper subfamily Iassinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from China.

Three new species of leafhoppers: Siniassus hamulus sp. nov., Decliviassus sagittatus sp. nov., Krisna quadrimaculosus sp. nov. are described and illustrated from China. An updated checklist and key to 22 of the 24 known Chinese species of these three genera (Siniassus, Decliviassus, Krisna) are provided.

Key to species of the genus Xenovarta Viraktamath (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) with description of a new species from China.

A new leafhopper species, Xenovarta lii sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Yunnan Province, China, and a key is given to separate species of this genus. A map showing the geographic distribution of the new species is also provided. The type specimen of the new species is deposited in the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China (GUGC).

The invasion of Bromus erectus alters species diversity of vascular plants and leafhoppers in calcareous grasslands

Abstract The most common mechanism of biological invasions is an increase in competition, which usually results in the loss of biodiversity. The invasion of Bromus erectus (Syn. Bromopsis erecta) in calcareous grasslands of western and central Europe is well‐documented. Although, it is largely unknown to what extent this development affects biodiversity. In this study, we analysed the effects of B. erectus invasion on vascular plant and leafhopper assemblages of calcareous grasslands. At each of the 15 randomly selected sites, we compared one plot with stands of Bromus (presence) and one without (absence) (paired sampling design). The invasion of B. erectus affected vegetation structure as well as vascular plant and leafhopper assemblages. Despite similar abiotic site characteristics, Bromus plots had a higher turf height, vegetation density, and litter cover. Additionally, we recorded a much lower species richness in Bromus plots than in absence plots in all analysed groups of vascular plants. A similar pattern was found for leafhoppers. Absence plots exhibited a higher species richness of habitat and diet specialists than Bromus plots. The overall abundance of all leafhopper species was highest in presence plots, whereas that of diet specialists peaked in absence plots. We conclude that the ongoing invasion of B. erectus will lead to a strong structural homogenisation with negative effects on plant and insect diversity. One possible management tool might be a goal‐driven rough grazing with sheep – especially in spring when B. erectus is much more palatable than in summer and autumn.

Cicadélidos portadores de begomovirus en el cultivo de jamaica (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)

<p>Los virus del género <em>Begomovirus</em> tienen una distribución mundial y a la fecha se sabe que son transmitidos exclusivamente por <em>Bemisia tabaci</em>. En 2016, se reportó un complejo de begomovirus asociados al amarillamiento de la jamaica (<em>Hibiscus sabdariffa</em> L.) en México, entre los que se encuentra el <em>Okra yellow mosaic</em> Mexico <em>virus</em> (OYMMV). Con el propósito de conocer la entomofauna asociada al cultivo de jamaica portadora de begomovirus, se colectaron insectos en plantas con amarillamiento, aclaramiento de nervaduras y mosaico y se analizaron mediante PCR. Se identificaron tres especies de cicádelidos portadoras de OYMMV: <em>Trypanalebra maculata</em>, <em>Kunzeana scimetara</em> y <em>Agallia excavata</em>. Asimismo, se encontró que <em>T. maculata</em> y <em>A. modesta</em> son portadoras de los begomovirus <em>Sida golden mosaic Buckup virus</em> (SiGMBuV) y <em>Melon chlorotic leaf curl virus</em> (MCLCuV), respectivamente. Este es el primer reporte de cicadélidos portadores de begomovirus.</p>

Transmission of “Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni”‐related strain associated with broccoli stunt by four species of leafhoppers

AbstractA disease known as broccoli stunt, associated with “Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni”‐related strain, has been responsible by significant economic losses in crops grown in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Previous investigations evidenced some species of leafhoppers observed in broccoli fields as potential vectors of the phytoplasma. In this study, the six species more frequently found in broccoli crops were collected to confirm that evidence. Group of five insects of each species were confined per broccoli seedling for an inoculation access period (IAP) of 48 hr. After the IAP, each group was tested for detection of phytoplasma. Evaluation of plants was performed 60 days after inoculation based on the presence of phytoplasma in their tissues. When transmission was positive, genomic fragments corresponding to 16S rDNA were sequenced both for the infected plants and its respective group of insects. The results revealed that the species Agallia albidula, Agalliana sticticollis, Atanus nitidus and Balcluta hebe were able to transmit phytoplasma to broccoli seedlings. Based on the estimates of transmission probability by single insects (P), the highest transmission rate was observed for A. nitidus (24.2%) and the lowest for B. hebe (1.9%). The sequencing of 16S rDNA revealed complete similarity between the sequences of the phytoplasma transmitted to broccoli test plants and the sequences of the phytoplasma found in the field‐collected leafhoppers. These findings support the inclusion of those species as vectors of phytoplasmas belonging to 16SrIII group in broccolis, providing additional information to improve management of this important disease of endemic occurrence.

Checklist and key to species of the leafhopper genus Japanagallia Ishihara, 1955 with description of a new species from China (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae, Megophthalminae)

A new leafhopper species, Japanagallia turriformis sp. n. of the tribe Agalliini of the subfamily Megophthalminae is described and illustrated from Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. Achecklist and key to the species of the genus are given, along with a map showing the geographical distributions of the 22 Chinese species.

SEASONAL ABUNDANCE OF THE MAIN PIERCING-SUCKING INSECTS INFESTING MAIZE AND SUGAR BEET PLANTS IN SHARKIA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

The present work was conducted during the two successive seasons of 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 in order to study the seasonal abundance of aphids, leafhoppers and planthopper insects infesting maize and sugar beet plants in Diarb-Nigm District, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. On maize plants the following aphid species were occurred: Rhopalosiphum padi (Linnaeus), R. maidis (Fitch).and Aphis gossypii (Glover).While, the leafhopper and planthopper insects included Empoasca decipiens (Paoli), E. decedens (Paoli), Cicadulina chinai (Ghauri), Segatella vibix (Haupt)and S. furcifera (Horv). On the other hand, sugar beet plants were infested with one species of aphid i.e. Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and three species of Leafhoppers i.e. Circulifera tenellus (Baker), E. decipiens (Paoli), and E. decedens (Paoli). The aforementioned insect pests were collected by three different methods from maize and sugar beet plants using plant sample, sweeping net and yellow sticky board trap. This research aims to utilize the obtained results in developing the integrated pest management (IPM) programs against the aforesaid insect pests through the effect of atmospheric temperature and relative humidity on the population of these insects.

Two new species of tribe Agalliini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Megophthalminae) with note on intraspecific variations.

Two new species of leafhoppers, Durgades sineprocessus sp. nov. (From Himachal Pradesh: Kalpa) and Japanagallia dolabra sp. nov. (From Sikkim: Lachung) from India, are described and illustrated. Photographic illustrations of Durgades aviana Viraktamath and a detailed note on intraspecific variation in male genitalia of Austroagallia sinuata (Mulsant Rey) are also provided. Material is deposited in the National Pusa Collection, Division of Entomology, Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), New Delhi, India.

Molecular characterization of phytoplasmaassociated with four important ornamental plant species in India and identification of natural potential spread sources.

Phytoplasma suspected symptoms of phyllody, witches' broom, leaf yellowing, stunting and little leaf were observed in Chrysanthemum morifolium, Bougainvillea glabra, Jasminum sambac and Callistephus chinensis during survey of flower nurseries and experimental ornamental fields at Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka from 2014 to 2016. Pleomorphic bodies typical to phytoplasma structures were observed in the phloem sieve elements of ultrathin sections of all the four symptomatic ornamental plants (stem tissue) in transmission electron microscope. Amplification of 1.8 and 1.2kb phytoplasma DNA products was observed in all the four test plants in PCR assays using universal primer pairs P1/P7 followed by nested primer pair R16F2n/R16R2, respectively. Pairwise sequence comparison, phylogeny and virtual RFLP analysis of 16S rDNA sequences confirmed the association of two phytoplasma subgroups (16SrI-B and 16SrII-D) in four ornamental plant species. 'Ca. P. aurantifolia' subgroup D (16SrII-D) was found associated with chrysanthemum phyllody and leaf yellowing at Delhi and Tamil Nadu, bougainvillea little leaf and yellowing at Delhi and Chinese aster phyllody at Bengaluru, Karnataka. However, jasmine little leaf and yellowing at Bengaluru, Karnataka and chrysanthemum stunting at Pune were found to be associated with 'Ca. P. asteris' subgroup B-related strains (16SrI-B). The identification of 16SrII-D subgroup phytoplasma infecting bougainvillea and 16SrI-B subgroup infecting jasmine are the new reports to the world. Besides weed species, Cannabis sativa showing witches' broom in jasmine fields at Bengaluru and Parthenium hysterophorus showing witches' broom symptoms in chrysanthemum fields at Delhi were identified to be caused by phytoplasma strains classified under subgroups 16SrI-B and 16SrII-D, respectively, by PCR assays and 16Sr DNA sequence comparison analysis. Among the three major leafhopper species identified, only Hishimonas phycitis was identified positive for 16SrI-B and 16SrII-D subgroups of phytoplasmas from chrysanthemum fields at Delhi and jasmine fields at Bengaluru, respectively. The identity of similar phytoplasma strains infecting ornamental species in leafhopper and the weed species in the present study suggested that H. phycitis and weeds may act as potential natural sources for secondary spread of the identified phytoplasma strains.

Diversity of Leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Associated with Border Grasses and Maize During the Wet and Dry Seasons in Mexico.

Leafhoppers constitute one of the largest groups of pests causing damage to crops worldwide. Edge grasses, which are border crops (also known as border grasses), contain diverse plant species and maintain large populations of leafhoppers during the tropical dry and wet seasons. However, little is known about the diversity of leafhoppers on these grasses. The objective of this study was to characterize the diversity of leafhoppers on maize and on surrounding border grasses during the dry and wet seasons. Leafhopper adults were collected with a sweep net from border grasses during the dry season, when maize is absent. During the wet, maize-growing season, leafhoppers were collected in both the maize fields and their surrounding edge grasses. A highly diverse (H' = 1.97 ± 2.03) leafhopper population was seen on the edge grasses during the dry season, and during the wet season, leafhopper diversity was higher in the edge grasses (H'= 1.79 ± 1.72) than in the maize fields themselves (H'= 1.67 ± 1.12). Throughout the wet season, the most abundant leafhopper species in border grasses were Stirellus bicolor (Van Duzee) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), Graminella sonora (Ball) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), and Balclutha incisa (Matsumura) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), whereas Dalbulus maidis (DeLong) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) was the most abundant species in maize fields. All of these species were from the subfamily Deltocephalinae. Canonical Component Analysis showed that leafhopper abundance of Sibovia compta (Fowler) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), Graphocephala aurolineata (Fowler) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), D. maidis, and S. bicolor was associated with abiotic factors such as relative humidity, soil moisture, temperature, and pluvial precipitation. Nevertheless, for most leafhopper species, abundances were not significantly correlated with the abiotic variables measured.

Molecular characterization of 'Clover proliferation' phytoplasma subgroup-D (16SrVI-D) associated with vegetables crops in India.

Nine vegetable plants species exhibiting phytoplasma suspected symptoms of white/purple leaf, little leaf, flat stem, witches' broom, phyllody and leaf yellowing were observed in experimental fields at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi from December 2015 to July 2016. Total DNA extracted from the three healthy and three symptomatic leaves of all the nine vegetables were subjected to PCR assays using phytoplasma specific primers P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2 and 3Far/3Rev to amplify the 16S rDNA fragments. No amplifications of DNA were observed in first round PCR assays with primer pair P1/P7 from any of the symptomatic samples. However, phytoplasma DNA specific fragments of~1.3kb were amplified from Apium graveolens L. (two isolates), Brassica oleracea vr. capitata L. (one isolate) and Solanum melongena L. (one isolate) by using 3Far/3Rev primer pair and 1.2kb fragment was amplified from Lactuca sativa L. (one isolate) by using R16F2n/R16R2 primer pair. No DNA amplification was seen in other symptomatic vegetable samples of tomato, carrot, cucurbit,bitter gourd and Amaranthus species utilizing either P1/P7 primer pair followed by 3Far/3Rev or R16F2n/R16R2 primer pairs. Out of three leafhopper species collected from the symptomatic vegetable fields, only Hishimonus phycitis was found positive for association of phytoplasma. No DNA amplifications were observed in healthy plant samples and insects collected from non-symptomatic fields. Comparative sequence comparison analyses of 16S rDNA of positive found vegetable phytoplasma strains revealed 100% sequence identities among each other and with phytoplasma strains of 'clover proliferation' (16SrVI) group. Phytoplasma sequences, virtual RFLPs and phylogenetic analyses of 16S rDNA sequence comparison confirmed the identification of 16SrVI subgroup D strain of phytoplasmas in four vegetablesand one leafhopper (HP) species. Further virtual RFLP analysis of 16S rDNA sequence of the vegetables phytoplasma strains confirmed their taxonomic classification with strains of 'clover proliferation' subgroup D. Since, H. phycitis feeding on symptomatic vegetable species in the study was also tested positive for the 16SrVI phytoplasma subgroup-D as of vegetables; it may act as potent natural reservoir of16SrVI-D subgroup of phytoplasmas infecting vegetable and other important agricultural crops.

The functional response and prey preference of generalist Nabis (Hemiptera: Nabidae) predators to leafhopper prey (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

AbstractInsects of the family Nabidae (Hemiptera) are generalist predators commonly found in agroecosystems, but little is known about their predation rates on common pests of forage crops. We determined the functional response and prey preference of Nabis Latreille species to two common leafhopper pests of red clover (Trifolium pratense Linnaeus; Fabaceae): Agallia constricta Van Duzee (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and Ceratagallia agricola (Hamilton) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). We also determined the survivorship of A. constricta to predation by Nabis species over the course of five days. The Nabis species displayed a Type III functional response to both leafhopper species with a preference for A. constricta. The 10-A. constricta/cage treatments and 20-A. constricta/cage treatments had the highest survival probabilities after five days with survival probabilities of 0.19 and 0.23, respectively. These results indicate that Nabis species may help in controlling leafhopper populations in forage-crop systems.

Sesame phyllody disease-a potential emerging threat to sesamecultivation in the north east region of India

Sesame phyllody disease associated with the presence of phytoplasmas is becoming a serious problem to many sesame growing countries of the world including India. However no systematic study on the disease has been done to assess the disease incidence, characterization of the associated phytoplasma strains and effect on the yield in north eastern states of India. Therefore an extensive survey was conducted from 2015 to 2017 in seven north eastern states of India covering 52 districts to record the incidence of the disease and to perform phytoplasma associated molecular characterization. The infected plants showed symptoms of virescence, phyllody, floral proliferation, flattened stem, splitting of capsules and witches’ broom. The disease incidence varied from 2% to 29% in different locations. The highest disease incidence (29%) was observed in the Sonitpur district of Assam in the variety ST-1683. Sesame phyllody infection was found to reduce the number of pod and seed yield per plant from 72.82%-100% and 57.20%-100%, respectively. A total of 96 symptomatic sesame samples were collected and analysed on extracted DNA with polymerase chain reaction using phytoplasma specific primers, amplifying 16S rRNA and secA genes. PCR and sequencing analysis confirmed the presence of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’-related strains in all the symptomatic samples. Pairwise sequence comparison and phylogenetic analyses of 21 strains on 16S rRNA gene and 9 strains on secA gene sequences confirmed the phytoplasma classification in the aster yellows groups. Among the 7 leafhopper species collected only Hishimonus phycitis tested positive for sesame phyllody phytoplasma presence. Seven species of weeds and wavy leaf basket grass (Oplismenus undulatifolius) and flax (Linum usitatissimum) in and around the infected sesame fields were also positive for phytoplasma presence indicating them as potential reservoir hosts of the phytoplasma associated with sesame phyllody disease in the north east region of India.

Intensive land use drives small-scale homogenization of plant- and leafhopper communities and promotes generalists.

The current biodiversity decline through anthropogenic land-use not only involves local species losses, but also homogenization of communities, with a few generalist species benefitting most from human activities. Most studies assessed community heterogeneity (β-diversity) on larger scales by comparing different sites, but little is known about impacts on β-diversity within each site, which is relevant for understanding variation in the level of α-diversity, the small-scale distribution of species and associated habitat heterogeneity. To obtain our dataset with 36,899 individuals out of 117 different plant- and leafhopper (Auchenorrhyncha) species, we sampled communities of 140 managed grassland sites across Germany by quantitative vacuum suction of five 1m2 plots on each site. Sites differed in land-use intensity as characterized by intensity of fertilization, mowing and grazing. Our results demonstrate a significant within-site homogenization of plant- and leafhopper communities with increasing land-use intensity. Correspondingly, density (- 78%) and γ-diversity (- 35%) declined, particularly with fertilization and mowing intensity. More than 34% of plant- and leafhopper species were significant losers and only 6% were winners of high land-use intensity, with abundant and widespread species being less affected. Increasing land-use intensity adversely affected dietary specialists and promoted generalist species. Our study emphasizes considerable, multifaceted effects of land-use intensification on species loss, with a few dominant generalists winning, and an emerging trend towards more homogenized assemblages. By demonstrating homogenization for the first time within sites, our study highlights that anthropogenic influences on biodiversity even occur on small scales.

Biodiversity and Ecology of the Leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) of New Hampshire

A total of 605 species of leafhoppers, including 38 exotics, are documented for New Hampshire. Nine additional species are included that were taken 1–16 km from the NH border in Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont. There are 287 new records for the state of which Empoasca vitis (Gothe) is new for the Nearctic region, and two others are new for the USA: Idiocerus albolinea Hamilton, here recorded also from Montana, and Gyponana quebecensis Provancher, also newly recorded from Illinois, Maine, Montana, Utah, and Vermont. Six new state records are documented for Massachusetts, and eight additional new state records for Maine. Eight species are here described in Typhlocybinae by Chandler: Dikrella scimitar, Empoasca kittelbergeri, Empoasca murrayi, Eratoneura hampshirensis, Erythridula bassorum, Erythridula morsei, Erythroneura confusa, Erythroneura viridis; and six by Hamilton in the other subfamilies: Chlorotettix smodix, Jikradia brikelos, Gyponana castor, Gyponana pollex, Macrosteles hizemus, and Macrosteles wahnapitae (new species). Oncopsis ferrosa Hamilton, 1983 is raised from subspecies to species (new status). Erythroneura alternata Johnson, 1935a (now in genus Erythridula) is recognized as the senior synonym of Erythroneura cauta Johnson, 1935b, synonymy reversed based on precedence of publication date (revised synonymy); five junior synomyns of Xestocephalus desertorum (Berg) are raised from synonomy: X. brunneus Van Duzee, X. fulvocapitatus Van Duzee, X. nigrifrons Osborn, X. similis Peters, and X . superbus (Provancher) (revised status); a junior synonym of Penthimia americana Fitch, 1851, P. vicaria Walker, 1851 is removed from synonymy and placed as a subspecies of P. americana (new status); Empoasca pergandei Gillette, 1898 is placed in Kyboasca Zakhvatkin (new combination).Specimen data are given, as well as summaries of the collection data and seasonality of the adults. Species richness is highest in habitats based on sandy soils such as eskers and glacial outwash plains. A list of leafhopper (Cicadellidae) species erroneously attributed to New Hampshire is provided, as is a list of the leafhopper species occurring in the surrounding states and the adjacent Atlantic Maritime Ecozone of Quebec that have not yet been taken in New Hampshire. A comparison of the collecting techniques used for sampling species in New Hampshire agroecosystems support the use of multiple collecting techniques for biodiversity studies, such as sweeping, pan traps, and sticky traps, as each produced species not taken by the other techniques. Yellow traps were the most attractive to the largest number of species, with green comparable for some of these species. Red and blue pan traps were often the most attractive to species that feed at ground level and do not readily fly. The plant hosts of the New Hampshire species are also provided with a list of the species that feed on them. COI barcodes are used to investigate species complexes of Draeculacephala, Jikradia, and Penthimia.

Comparison of Leafhopper Species Complexes in the Ground Cover of Sprayed and Unsprayed Peach Orchards in Michigan (Homoptera: Cicadellldae)

Comparison of Leafhopper Species Complexes in the Ground Cover of Sprayed and Unsprayed Peach Orchards in Michigan (Homoptera: Cicadellldae)

A new genus of leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber

A new genus and species of Cretaceous leafhopper, Priscacutius denticulatus n. gen., n. sp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is described from Myanmar amber. Diagnostic characters include rows of spines on the hind tibiae, paired ocelli positioned on the crown adjacent to the anterior margin of pronotum, aristate antennae, a tuberculate sensillium adjacent to the base of the antenna, a basal metatarsus with a series of 7 short teeth and 5 terminal elongate spines, and brochosomes on the forewings. This is the first member of the Cicadellidae described from Myanmar amber.