S U M M A R YColonies of the leafhopper Cicadulina bimaculata were established from single male and female insects raised from surface sterilised eggs and shown to be free of leafhopper A virus (LAV). Insects from these colonies were as capable of inducing maize wallaby ear disease (MWED) in maize seedlings as those with LAV indicating that the virus is not involved in the etiology of MWED.Maize seedlings colonised by C. bimaculata in glasshouse trials developed initial MWED symptoms within 6-8 days of infestation. The symptoms intensified thereafter and many plants died after more than 16 days' exposure, even after the insects were killed with insecticide. However, when freed from the insects before symptoms became very severe, plants recovered and assumed normal growth. These observations support the view that MWED is caused by an insect toxin.
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