Alternation of host plants as a survival mechanism of leafhoppers Dilobopterus costalimai and Oncometopia facialis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), vectors of the Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC)

Abstract

Dilobopterus costalimai (Young) and Oncometopia facialis (Signoret) are two of the most important species of citrus leafhoppers, vectors of bacterium Xylella fastidiosa which causes the Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC) disease. To develop a rearing technique for these species under laboratory conditions, the egg laying preference and nymph development were studied in different breeding systems: Rangpur lime (Citrus limonia) and "falso boldo" (Vernonia condensata) as host plants. Trials were set up in a randomized block design with three treatments (n=8). Females of D. costalimai had particular preference for ovipositing on Rangpur lime leaves while O. facialis females placed a higher number of eggs on "falso boldo", but it did not differ statistically from the Rangpur lime. The nymphal viability of D. costalimai was null in Rangpur lime and 58% in "falso boldo". For O. facialis the nymphal viability was 25 and 78% in Rangpur lime and "falso boldo", respectively. "Falso boldo" is more suitable as a host plant to rear the two species of citrus leafhoppers. The alternation of host plants seems to be an important survival mechanism of the CVC-vector species, as shown in natural conditions.

Host plants mixture and fitness ofKolla paulula: with an evaluation of the application of Weibull function

“…Similar cases have previously been reported for H. vitripennis transmitting PD, as well as Dilobopterus costalimai and Oncometopia facialis spreading CVC (Milanez et al. ; Mizell et al. ).…”

“…Milanez et al. () reported that alternation of host plants promoted a survival mechanism of the leafhoppers Dilobopterus costalimai Young and Oncometopia facialis (Signoret). Lauzière and Sétamou () reported that different host plants were necessary for oviposition and development of H. vitripennis .…”

Suitability of Different Host Plants for Oviposition and Development of Homalodisca vitripennis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and Its Implication on Mass Rearing

“…The continual shift in host plant selection may be critical to this species as a survival mechanism to counter host plant variations in xylem composition. Milanez et al (2001) in Brazil reported similar alternative host selection behavior in two other cicadellids, Dilobopterus costalimai Young and Oncometopia facialis (Signoret), transmitting X. fastidiosa in citrus. In another study, Milanez et al (2003) reported 40 Ð 62% mortality in adult males and females D. costalimai and O. facialis caged on potted sweet orange, Citrus sinensis (L.), for 96 h (no-choice test situation).…”

Diversity of Cicadomorpha (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) in Citrus Orchards in Northeastern Argentina

“…Citrus are not primary but occasional hosts for them, while other alternative host plants are also important for the development of the different cicadomorphan species (Milanez et al 2001). This may explain why the number of collected insects was so low in some months during the sampling.…”