Abundance and Species Richness of Leafhoppers and Planthoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae and Delphacidae) in Brazilian Maize Crops

Authors

  • Charles Martins De Oliveira Embrapa Cerrados. C.P. 08223, Planaltina, Brasília/DF, 73310-970
  • Elizabeth De Oliveira Embrapa Milho e Sorgo. C. P. 151, Sete Lagoas/MG, 35701970
  • Isabel Regina Prazeres De Souza Embrapa Milho e Sorgo. C. P. 151, Sete Lagoas/MG, 35701970
  • Elcio Alves DuPont do Brazil S.A, Divisão Pioneer Sementes. C.P. 1014, Itumbiara/GO, 75503971
  • William Dolezal Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. C.P. 1014, Itumbiara/GO, 75503971
  • Susana Paradell Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, División Entomologia, Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Paseo del Bosque s/n – La Plata (1900), Buenos Aires
  • Ana Maria Marino De Remes Lenicov Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, División Entomologia, Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Paseo del Bosque s/n – La Plata (1900), Buenos Aires
  • Marina Regina Frizzas Universidade de Brasília, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Brasília/DF, 70910-900

Keywords:

insect vectors, maize viruses, mollicutes, phytoplasma, spiroplasma

Abstract

Insects in the Cicadellidae and Delphacidae families, common in grasses, are an important group of vectors of viruses and mollicutes, which cause diseases in several plant species. The goal of this study was to evaluate the abundance and species richness of Cicadellidae and Delphacidae and the presence of potential vectors of viruses and mollicutes in maize crops in Brazil. Insects were collected using sweep nets in maize crops in 48 counties of 8 states, distributed in 4 regions of Brazil in the yr 2005, 2006 and 2007, with a total of 198 samples. The collected material was screened, and the leafhoppers and planthoppers were identified at the species level. A total of 4233 Cicadellidae specimens, including 30 species, and 205 Delphacidae specimens, including 9 species, were collected. The most abundant species was Dalbulus maidis (Delong & Wolcott) representing 90.1% of leafhoppers and planthoppers. Abundance and species richness differences were observed between the northeast and center-south regions of Brazil. Eight species of leafhoppers and planthoppers were identified as vectors or potential vectors of viruses and mollicutes in maize, although some of these viruses are not reported in Brazil. Among these species, we identified the planthoppers, Caenodelphax teapae (Fowler), Peregrinus maidis Ashmed, Pyrophagus tigrinus Remes Lenicov & Varela and Toya propinqua (Fieber) are experimental vectors of Mal de Río Cuarto virus, which is a quarantine virus in Brazil. Two Cicadellidae species and 3 Delphacidae species were reported for the first time in Brazil.

 

Cigarrinhas das famílias Cicadellidae e Delphacidae são comuns em gramíneas e formam um grupo reconhecidamente importante de insetos vetores de vírus e molicutes, agentes causais de doenças em diversas espécies vegetais. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a abundância e a riqueza se espécies de Cicadellidae e Delphacidae e a presença de vetores potenciais desses fitopatógenos na cultura do milho, em regiões produtoras desse cereal, no Brasil. Utilizando dé rede entomológica, cigarrinhas foram coletadas em lavouras de milho nos anos de 2005, 2006 e 2007 em 48 municípios de 8 estados e 4 regiões do Brasil, em um total de 198 amostras. O material coletado foi separado e identificado em nível de espécie. Foram coletados 4233 espécimes de Cicadellidae pertencentes a 30 espécies e 205 espécimes de Delphacidae de nove espécies. A espécie mais abundante foi Dalbulus maidis representando 90,1% das cigarrinhas. Diferenças em abundância e riqueza de species foram observadas entre as regiões nordeste e centro-sul do Brasil. Oito espécies de cigarrinhas (Cicadellidae e Delphacidae) são vetores ou vetores potenciais de vírus e mollicutes que infectam o milho, embora a ocorrência de alguns desses fitopatógenos não esteja relatada no Brasil. Dentre essas espécies identificou-se as cigarrinhas Caenodelphax teapae (Fowler), Peregrinus maidis Ashmed, Pyrophagus tigrinus Remes Lenicov & Varela e Toya propinqua (Fieber), vetores em condições experimentais do Mal de Río Cuarto virus, que é um vírus quarentenário para o Brasil. Duas espécies de Cicadellidae e 3 de Delphacidae são registradas pela primeira vez no Brasil.

 

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Published

2014-02-23

Issue

Vol. 96, No. 4 (December 2013)

Section

Research Papers

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