Absence of corn stunt spiroplasma and maize bushy stunt phytoplasma in leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) that inhabit edge grasses throughout winter in Jalisco, Mexico
Keywords:
maize pest, plant pathogenAbstract
Leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) that inhabit edge grasses throughout the winter were tested for the presence of corn stunt spiroplasma (CSS) and maize bushy stunt phytoplasma (MBSP). Leafhoppers were sampled using a sweep net at least once a week between Feb and Jun 2014 in Jalisco, Mexico. In total, 2,263 leafhoppers from 27 different taxa were collected. Stirellus bicolor Van Duzee and Graminella sonora (Ball) were the most abundant leafhoppers, with smaller numbers of Dalbulus maidis Delong and D. elimatus Ball. None of the leafhoppers tested positive for CSS or MBSP, suggesting that these 2 bacterial pathogens do not overwinter in leafhoppers that live on edge grasses. This is an important finding, because several studies have found that crop edges are beneficial reservoirs of insect predators and parasitoids, including those that attack insect vectors of plant pathogens.
Sumario
Las chicharritas (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) que habitan en los pastos de los bordes del cultivo de maíz, durante el invierno, fueron evaluadas para determinar la presencia del espiroplasma del maíz (CSS) y el fitoplasma del maíz (MBSP). Entre Febrero y Junio del 2014 en Jalisco, Mexico, las chicharritas fueron colectadas al menos una vez por semana, usando una red de golpeo. En total, 2,263 chicharritas de 27 diferentes taxa fueron colectadas. Stirellus bicolor Van Duzee y Graminella sonora (Ball) fueron las chicharritas más abundantes, se encontraron pocos individuos de Dalbulus maidis Delong y Dalbulus elimatus Ball. Ninguna de las chicharritas evaluadas, fueron positivas a la presencia de CSS o MBSP, sugiriendo que estas dos bacterias patogénicas al maíz no pasan el invierno dentro de las chicharritas que viven en los pastos de los bordes. Esto es un descubrimiento importante, porque varios estudios han encontrado que los bordes de cultivos son reservorios benéficos para insectos depredadores y parasitoides, incluyendo esos que atacan a insectos vectores de patógenos a plantas.
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