Alternative methods for rearing grass-feeding spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Cercopidae)

Abstract

RESUMO -Duas metodologias para criação de cigarrinhas-das-pastagens são relatadas e avaliadas, utilizando-se Aeneolamia varia (Fabricius) sobre Brachiaria ruziziensis Germ. & Evrard. Desenvolveuse uma nova unidade de criação em pequena escala para manter a cigarrinha nos seus diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento, e assim promover estudos biológicos dos insetos. A unidade possui uma bandeja de plantas com raízes, que são os locais de alimentação e desenvolvimento das ninfas, junto com uma gaiola para emergência dos adultos contendo plantas e substrato para oviposição e obtenção de ovos. Para produção em larga escala, aperfeiçoou-se um método de criação massal, reduzindo-se os insumos e agilizando-se a produção. A principal característica é uma caixa coberta com raízes e condições de microclima adequados para o desenvolvimento de ninfas. A eficiência de produção de adultos a partir de ovos foi de 45,1%, produzindo 1002 adultos/m 2 por geração, com um período de desenvolvimento ninfal de 36,1 dias. A emergência de adultos foi de 70,5% em uma semana. Esse método para produção massal é uma ferramenta efetiva para produção de cigarrinhas em larga escala, podendo ser utilizado para estudos como de controle com fungos entopatógenos, resistência da planta hospedeira e outros. São discutidas as possibilidades e necessidades futuras para se melhorar a técnica e ajustá-la a outras espécies de cigarrinhas. PALAVRAS-CHAVE:Aeneolamia varia, Brachiaria, praga, gramínea forrageira, cigarrinha, técnica de criação ABSTRACT -Two methodologies for rearing grass-feeding spittlebugs are described and were evaluated with Aeneolamia varia (Fabricius) on Brachiaria ruziziensis Germ. & Evrard. To promote biological studies, a new small-scale rearing unit was developed to maintain spittlebug life stages in the greenhouse year round. This unit features a plant tray established with roots as feeding sites for nymphal development alongside an adult emergence cage with plants and oviposition substrate for egg collection. For largescale production, an improved mass-rearing colony was designed to reduce inputs and streamline production. The major feature was a covered box with root and microclimate conditions adequate for nymphal development. Efficiency of adult production from eggs was 45.1%, yield 1002 adults/m 2 per generation, nymphal development time 36.1 d, and adult emergence 70.5% in a 1-wk period. This massrearing method is a more effective tool for reliable and high-level production of spittlebugs for massive screening required for the evaluation of control tactics such as fungal entomopathogens and host plant resistance. The possibilities for further improving these designs and tailoring them to other spittlebug species are discussed.

Laboratory rearing of Abidama liuensis (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) and description of immature stages

“…Low viability of laboratory reared nymphs is reported by Garcia et al (2007), with only 18.9% of the eggs of Aeneolamia varia developing into adults (Peck et al, 2004). In addition, only nine of more than 100 randomly selected eggs of another spittlebug, C. versicolor, reached the adult stage when reared in a laboratory (Chen & Liang, 2012).…”

“…Suitable temperature and high relative humidity are most important for the continuous production of spittlebugs under artifi cial conditions. Further important provisions are favourable conditions for the development of nymphs (abundance of surface roots, high humidity and darkness) and collecting eggs effi ciently and conveniently (Lapointe et al, 1989;Peck et al, 2004;Chen & Liang, 2012). cups (10 × 8 × 8 cm) the surfaces of which were perforated with 1 mm diameter holes.…”

Natural occurrence of the entomopathogenic genus Pandora on spittlebug pests of crops and pastures in Argentina

“…Spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) are a major threat to forage grass, milk and beef production in rangelands and pastures of the Neotropics (Valério, Lapointe, Kelemu, Fernandes, & Morales, ). These insects inflict heavy economic damage to pasture grasses and crops such as rice, sugarcane and corn and cause damage by mechanical feeding, by the physiological effects of saliva and by facilitating the entry of pathogenic microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria (Peck, ; Peck, Morales, & Castro, ). Spittlebugs of the genera Aeneolamia , Mahanarva , Zulia , Deois , Notozulia and Prosapia are considered to be serious pests in Central and South America where they cause up to 70% reduction in pasture yields within infested areas, particularly to the extensively planted genus Brachiaria (Trin.)…”

Laboratory rearing technique of Mahanarva fimbriolata (Stål) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae)

“…From then on, other techniques were developed, with variations according to the objectives proposed and the species involved, such as the ones in Williams & Cook (1975); Magalhães et al (1987); Sotelo et al (1988); Lapointe et al (1989a;1989b Beck (1963);Fewkes (1964); Byers & Wells (1966); Hagley (1967) ;Fewkes & DemideckiDemidowicz (1971); King (1975); Williams & Cook (1975); Sotelo et al (1988); Valério (1993) have developed studies with cercopids, however their success was limited due to the technique itself or to abiotic conditions (temperature and RH). At the Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), Lapointe et al (1989aLapointe et al ( , 1989b) published a highly feasible technique that maintained Zulia colombiana and Aeneolamia reducta year-round under greenhouse conditions, and Peck et al (2004) published a study on the most recent rearing advances, showing that this technique is one of the most effective tool for the production of spittlebugs in a large scale.…”