Proconiini sharpshooters of Argentina, with notes on its distribution, host plants, and natural enemies

The American tribe Proconiini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae) is one of the largest groups of xylem-feeding insects and includes the majority of the known vectors of xylem-born phytopathogenic organisms. The significance of the pathogens that this group transmits gives them an important role as pests, mostly for citrus fruit, grapes, and almonds. Knowledge of these Hemiptera in Argentina is insufficient and fragmentary. Thus one of the aims of this paper is to summarize the available information of the Proconiini sharpshooters in Argentina. In addition, 14 species are mentioned for the first time in the country, and new distributional data are given for 18 species. Thirty-four new associations between sharpshooters and host plants are recorded. New records of egg parasitoids are given for Dechacona missionum, Molomea consolida, M. lineiceps, and Tapajosa similis.Fil: Paradell, Susana Liria. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Entomología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Virla, Eduardo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiologicos; ArgentinaFil: Logarzo, Guillermo Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. United States Department of Agriculture; Estados UnidosFil: Dellapé, Gimena. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Entomología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

A review of the tribes of Deltocephalinae (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae)

The classification of the largest subfamily of leafhoppers, Deltocephalinae, including 38 tribes, 923 genera, and 6683 valid species, is reviewed and revised. An updated phylogeny of the subfamily based on molecular (28S, Histone H3) and morphological data and an expanded taxon sample (37 taxa not included in previous analyses) is presented. Based on the results of these analyses and on the morphological examination of many representatives of the subfamily, the classification of the tribes and subtribes of Deltocephalinae is revised. Complete morphological descriptions, illustrations, lists of the included genera, and notes on their distribution, ecology, and important vector species are provided for the 38 recognized tribes and 18 subtribes. A dichotomous key to the tribes is provided. All names in the taxonomic treatments are hyperlinked to online resources for individual taxa which are supported by a comprehensive database for Deltocephalinae compiled using the taxonomic database software package 3I. The online functionality includes an interactive key to tribes and subtribes and advanced database searching options. Each taxon (subspecies through subfamily) has a unique taxon webpage providing nomenclatural information, lists of included taxa, an automated description (if available), images (if available), distributional information, bibliographic references and links to outside resources. Some observations and trends regarding the history of taxonomic descriptions in Deltocephalinae are reported. Four new tribes are described: Bahitini tribe nov. (25 genera), Bonsapeiini tribe nov. (21 genera), Phlepsiini tribe nov. (4 genera), and Vartini tribe nov. (7 genera). The circumscription and morphological characterization of Scaphoideini Oman, 1943 (61 genera) is substantially revised. Eleven new species are described: Acostemma stilleri sp. nov., Arrugada linnavuorii sp. nov., Drabescus zhangi sp. nov., Parabolopona webbi sp. nov., Goniagnathus emeljanovi sp. nov., Hecalus hamiltoni sp. nov., Scaphoideus omani sp. nov., Dwightla delongi sp. nov., Abimwa knighti sp. nov., Gannia viraktamathi sp. nov., and Doratulina dmitrievi sp. nov. Some family-group level taxonomic changes are made: Platymetopiini Haupt, 1929, Anoterostemmini Haupt, 1929, and Allygidiina Dmitriev, 2006 are synonymized with Athysanini Van Duzee, 1892, syn. nov.; Procepitini Dmitriev, 2002 is synonymized with Cicadulini Van Duzee, 1892, syn. nov.; Listrophorini Boulard, 1971 is synonymized with Chiasmini Distant, 1908, syn. nov.; Adamini Linnavuori & Al-Ne’amy, 1983, Dwightlini McKamey, 2003, and Ianeirini Linnavuori, 1978 are synonymized with Selenocephalini Fieber, 1872 syn.nov., and all three are now recognized as valid subtribes in their parent tribe. New placements of many genera to tribe and subtribe are made, and these are described in individual taxon treatments

Identification of potential insect vectors of the Cape Saint Paul Wilt Disease of coconut in Ghana by PCR

The vector of the phytoplasma responsible for the coconut lethal yellowing disease in West Africa is unknown to date. However, it is known that phytoplasmas are transmitted by leafhoppers and planthoppers, which are supposed to be the only ones able to inject the phytoplasma in the phloem. Whereas the presence of phytoplasma in the insect does not prove its capacity to transmit the disease. We have tested a large number of insects for the presence of phytoplamas by PCR (direct PCR and Nested PCR) using both primer pairs specific for all phytoplasmas and those specific for the coconut lethal yellowing disease phytoplasma. In effect the evidence of one or several species carrying the phytoplasma would direct us on the insects to focus on in our transmission cages trials. (Résumé d'auteur

Suitability of Different Host Plants for Nymphs of The Sharpshooter Tapajosa rubromarginata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Proconinii)

The glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), Homalodisca vitripennis(Germar) has become a major pest in California primarily as a vector of Xylella fastidiosa a bacteria that cause severe diseases to grapes. Owing to the uncertainty of the effectiveness of egg parasitoids native to California against GWSS, a neo-classical biological control approach is ongoing. The survey of natural enemies is conducted on leafhoppers closely related to the target pest in South America. In 2000, egg parasitoids of Tapajosa rubromarginata, a sharpshooter closely related to GWSS, were sought in regions in South America where climate types and habitats were similar to California. Nymphs and adults have different nutritional requirements, alternating host plant as a survival mechanism. Apparently, only a few host plants support the development of nymphs to maturity. We tested the viability of nymphs of T. rubromarginata reared on sweet orange, corn, bermuda grass, rescuegrass, bur clover, cowpea, and a combination of mint + oat as an attempt to determine a suitable substrate to rear this sharpshooter. We recorded high mortality of the newly emerged nymphs maintained with rescuegrass, sweet orange, corn, Bermuda grass and bur clover. Nymphs successfully reached the adult stage only eating on cowpea plants and the combination of mint + oat. Based on the observed survival rate and the number of individuals that reached the adult stage, cowpea was the most appropriate substrate for rearing in the laboratory.Fil: Virla, Eduardo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; ArgentinaFil: Cangemi, Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; ArgentinaFil: Logarzo, Guillermo Alejandro. United States Department Of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service. Overseas Biological Control Laboratories. South American Biological Control Laboratory; Argentin

Review of the New World genera of the Leafhopper Tribe Erythroneurini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocycbinae)

The genus-level classification of New World Erythroneurini is revised based on results of a phylogenetic analysis of 100 morphological characters. The 704 known species are placed into 18 genera. Erasmoneura Young and Eratoneura Young, previously treated as subgenera of Erythroneura Fitch, and Erythridula Young, most recently treated as a subgenus of Arboridia Zachvatkin, are elevated to generic status. Three species previously included in Erasmoneura are placed in a new genus, Rossmoneura (type species, Erythroneura tecta McAtee). The concept of Erythroneura is thereby narrowed to include only those species previously included in the nominotypical subgenus. New World species previously included in Zygina Fieber are not closely related to the European type species of that genus and are therefore placed in new genera. Neozygina, n. gen., based on type species Erythroneura ceonothana Beamer, includes all species previously included in the ???ceonothana group???, and Zyginama, n. gen., based on type species Erythroneura ritana Beamer, includes most species previously included in the ???ritana group??? of New World Zygina. Five additional new genera are described to include other previously described North American Erythroneurini: Hepzygina, n. gen., based on type species Erythroneura milleri Beamer and also including E. aprica McAtee; Mexigina, n. gen., based on type species Erythroneura oculata McAtee; Nelionidia, n. gen., based on type species N. pueblensis, n. sp., three additional new species, and Erythroneura amicis Ross; Neoimbecilla, n. gen., based on type species Erythroneura kiperi Beamer and one new species; and Illinigina, n. gen., based on type species Erythroneura illinoiensis Gillette. Five new genera, based on previously undescribed species, are also recognized: Aztegina, n. gen, based on A. punctinota, n. sp., from Mexico; Amazygina, n. gen., based on type species A. decaspina, n. sp., and three additional new species from Ecuador; Hamagina, n. gen., based on type species H. spinigera, n. sp., and two additional new species from Peru and Ecuador; Napogina, n. gen., based on type species N. recta, n. sp., and one additional new species from Ecuador; Perugina, n. gen., based on type species P. denticula, n. sp., from Peru; and Spinigina, n. gen., based on type species S. hirsuta, n. sp., and an additional new species from Peru. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the New World Erythroneurini consist of three lineages resulting from separate invasions from the Old World.published or submitted for publicationis peer reviewe

A Leafhopper Pest of Plants in the Mint Family, Eupteryx decemnotata Rey (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae), Ligurian Leafhopper, New to North America

The Ligurian leafhoppter, Eupteryx decemnotata Rey (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae), is reported for the first time in North America (USA: Florida and California). Diagnostic characters for species identification, summary of hosts and damage, and U.S. known distribution are given

Primeiro registro de Eudorylas schreiteri (Shannon) (Diptera: Pipunculidae) como parasitóide da cigarrinha do milho (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) na Argentina, e uma tabela dos hospedeiros de pipunculídeos na região neotropical

The big-headed fly Eudorylas schreiteri (Shannon) is recorded for the first time as an endoparasitoid of the corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott) in Northern Argentina. A table of known Neotropical pipunculid-host associations is presented.Eudorylas schreiteri (Shannon) é registrada pela primeira vez como endoparasitóide da cigarrinha do milho Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott) no norte da Argentina. Uma tabela das espécies neotropicais de pipunculídeos com hospedeiros conhecidos é apresentada.Fil: Virla, Eduardo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; ArgentinaFil: Moya Raygoza, Gustavo. Universidad de Guadalajara; MéxicoFil: Rafael, José A. Instituto de Pesquisa da Amazônia; Brasi

Egg Parasitoids of the Leafhoppers Dalbulus maidis and Dalbulus elimatus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Two Maize Habitats

Este trabajo fue realizado en dos habitats diferentes de maíz en Mexico, con el objetivo de determinar los parasitoides de huevos de dos importantes chicharritas plagas del maíz en este país. se empleó la siguiente metodología: plantas de maíz con similar número de huevos de D. maidis y D. elimatus fueron expuestos a los parasitoides. Ambas especies de chicharritas fueron parasitadas por Paracentrobia tapajosae Viggiani (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), Anagrus breviphragma Soyka (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), Aphelinoidea semifuscipennis (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) y Pseudoligositalongifrangiata (Viggiani) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). Todas las especies de parasitoidesque atacan a los huevos de D. elimatus son reportadas por primera vez. Además, en ambas especies de chicharritas se encontró un número similar de huevos parasitados y porcentaje de parasitismo, y los parasitoides encontrados llegaron a su estado adulto. La tasa total de parasitismo depende del tipo de hábitat; en el hábitat donde se cultiva maíz todo el año, una alta tasa de parasitismo fue encontrada, mientras que en el hábitat con maíz estacional, la tasa de parasitismo fue baja.Fil: Moya Raygoza, Gustavo. Universidad de Guadalajara; MéxicoFil: Renteria, Isabel. Universidad de Guadalajara; MéxicoFil: Luft Albarracin, Erica Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiologicos; ArgentinaFil: Virla, Eduardo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiologicos; Argentin

A New \u3ci\u3eFlexamia\u3c/i\u3e (Homoptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) From Southern Michigan

A new species, Flexamia huroni, is described from a prairie fen in south- eastern Michigan. This leafhopper is closely related to the western F. serrata B & T, a specialist on mat muhly (Muhlenbergia richardsonis). Like its sister species, F. huroni was found only in close association with mat muhly, a grass listed as a threatened species in Michigan and Wisconsin. The regional rarity of mat muhly, its association with a globally imperiled plant commnity (prairie fen) and the absence of F. huroni from several fens known to contain this grass, make this new Flexamia a strong candidate for listing as endangered in Michigan