Aethalion reticulatum (Hemiptera: Aethalionidae) feeding on Erythrina speciosa (Fabales: Fabaceae): First record of its host plant and damage characteristics
Keywords:
leafhopper, occurrence, ornamental plant, seedlingsAbstract
Erythrina speciosa Andrews (Fabales: Fabaceae) has multiple uses due to its medicinal properties, potential for recovering degraded areas, and excellent landscape effect, but insects that use this plant are poorly known. This paper reports, for the first time, the occurrence of Aethalion reticulatum (L., 1758) (Hemiptera: Aethalionidae) on E. speciosa seedlings in nurseries at Sacra Família do Tinguá, Municipality of Engenheiro Paulo de Frontin, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Egg clutches of A. reticulatum were observed at the apex and on the median region of these seedlings, covered by a grayish brown substance, visually distinguished from the greenish color of the E. speciosa stem. Damage to this plant was characterized by hypertrophy and cracks at the apex of E. speciosa seedlings. Control measures for A. reticulatum, based on studies on other hosts, are presented.
Resumo
Erythrina speciosa Andrews (Fabales: Fabaceae) tem usos múltiplos, devido às suas propriedades medicinais, potencial para recuperação de áreas degradadas e excelente efeito paisagístico, mas insetos que se alimentam desta planta são pouco conhecidos. Este artigo relata, pela primeira vez, a ocorrência de Aethalion reticulatum (L., 1758) (Hemiptera: Aethalionidae) em mudas de E. speciosa em viveiros localizados em Sagrada Família do Tinguá, município de Engenheiro Paulo de Frontin, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Posturas de A. reticulatum foram observadas no ápice e na região mediana dessas mudas, cobertas por uma substância cinza, marrom, visualmente distinta da cor esverdeada do caule de E. speciosa. Danos a essa planta foram caracterizados por hipertrofia e rachaduras no ápice das mudas de E. speciosa. Medidas de controle de A. reticulatum, baseadas em estudos desse inseto em outras plantas hospedeiras, são apresentados.
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