Rapid Spread of Balclutha rubrostriata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Texas and Southwestern Louisiana, USA with Notes on its Associated Host Plants
Keywords:
Balclutha rubrostriata, leafhopper, Texas, Louisiana, sugarcane, white leaf phytoplasmaAbstract
The red streaked leafhopper, Balclutha rubrostriata (Melichar) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is an invasive insect from southeastern Asia that is known to be a vector of the phytoplasma that causes Sugarcane White Leaf Disease (SCWL). Sugarcane is a vital crop for the United States and is being considered as a biofuel source. The purpose of this survey was to determine whether B. rubrostriata has established populations in Texas and Louisiana, USA; and, if established, to estimate its range expansion. The gulf coast region of Texas, east Texas, and 2 southwestern parishes of Louisiana were surveyed for the red streaked leafhopper. Samples of the leafhopper were collected in all Gulf Coast regions and the majority of east Texas counties. However, it was only collected in one Louisiana parish. The leafhopper appears to be closely associated with an invasive grass, King Ranch Bluestem, Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.), throughout much of its present range in the United States, and it is now common along much of the Texas Gulf Coast and is moving into Louisiana.
El saltahoja rojo rayado, Balclutha rubrostriata (Melichar), es un insecto invasor del sudeste de Asia, que es conocido por ser un vector de la fitoplasma que causa la Enfermedad fr Hoja Blanca de la Caña de Azúcar (EHBCA). La caña de azúcar es un cultivo importante para los Estados Unidos y está siendo considerado como una fuente de biocombustible. El propósito de este estudio fue determinar si B. rubrostriata ha establecido poblaciones en los estados de Texas y Louisiana en los EE.UU., y, en caso de estar establecido, para estimar su rango de expansión. Se realizó un sondeo de la región de la costa del golfo de Texas, al este de Texas, y dos parroquias del suroeste de Louisiana para evaluar por la presencia del saltahoja rojo rayado. Se recolectaron muestras del saltahoja en todas las regiones de la costa del golfo y la mayoría de los condados del este de Texas. Sin embargo, sólo fue recolectado en una parroquia de Louisiana. El saltahoja parece estar estrechamente asociado con un zacate invasor, ‹King Ranch Bluestem›, Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.), en gran parte de su área de distribución actual en los Estados Unidos, y ahora es común a lo largo de la Costa del Golfo de Texas y se esta moviendo dentro de Louisiana.
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