Comparative biology of some Cicadulina species and populations from various climatic zones in Nigeria (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Abstract

Significant differences in nymphal development period and fecundity were observed between five populations of Cicadulina mbila (Naudé) and C. triangula Ruppel from three climatic zones in Nigeria: rain forest (Ibadan), southern part of Sudan savanna (Kadawa, Kano) and the Jos Plateau. The C. triangula population that is used in mass rearing for resistance screening at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, developed much more rapidly than the wild C. triangula population from Ibadan. Similarly, the C. mbila population from the Kadawa Irrigation Scheme, Kano, developed more rapidly than the population from the Jos Plateau. All Cicadulina populations were 3–4 times as prolific on pearl millet as on maize, sorghum or the grass Digitaria exilis. The IITA colony of C. triangula was significantly more fecund than C. mbila. It is clear that Cicadulina species and populations with high reproductive potential would be most suitable for mass rearing for resistance screening to the maize streak virus disease.

Tethered flight and morphometric studies with Cicadulina storeyi and C. mbila leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) vectors of maize streak virus in Uganda

“…There was clearly no effect of host species origin on flight by C. storeyi, and the limited comparisons possible with C. mbila indicated a similar result. This was surprising in view of the presumed differences in quality of the three host species (Okoth et al, 1987b;Mesfin et al, 1995) and the strong effects that inferior host quality can have in stimulating flight by Cicadulina (Rose, 1972b) and other species (Blackmer & Byrne, 1993;Horton & Lewis, 1996). However, all plants in our study were young and free of disease symptoms and presumably any host quality differences were slight.…”

“…Kawanda composite A) which is susceptible to maize streak disease, pearl millet Pennisetum americanum (variety unknown, imported from Nigeria) and the local grass Digitaria scalarum. Reproduction of Cicadulina has been found to be more successful on pearl millet than on maize or Digitaria grass species (Okoth et al, 1987b), while C. mbila prefer to feed on D. sanguinalis rather than maize (Mesfin et al, 1995). Leafhoppers were reared on maize plants at the three to five leaf stage, and on pearl millet and D. scalarum up to their respective flowering stages.…”

Inventaire et incidence des insectes inféodes à la culture du fonio (<i>Digitaria exilis</i> Stapf) dans la zone ouest du Burkina Faso

“…L'importance et la variabilité des espèces végétales recensées dans le champ de fonio expliquent le nombre et la diversité des insectes identifiés dans le champ de fonio, ces espèces végétales étant les principaux supports nourriciers et de ponte pour les insectes et leurs larves. Ce qui est en accord avec les observations d' Okoth et Dabrowski (1987) qui rapportent que la densité des populations d'insectes augmente avec la disponibilité des plantes hôtes ; ce qui explique l'importance et la diversité des insectes capturés sur le fonio.…”

Comparative analysis of some parameters affecting maize streak virus (MSV) transmission of various Cicadulina spp. populations

“…Plants infected before the fourth to i m l i c a t i o n s o f t h e r e s u l t s £ f s u c h w o r k > t h e s t u d i e s s,xth leaf-growth stage develop the most severe symp-^ ^ b e ] o w w e r e i n i t i a t e d • 1 9 8 3 d e t e r m i n e t h e toms and often die (IITA, 1975;Guthne 1977Guthne , 1978 . Climatic and geographical characteristics of these zones are summarized in our previous publication (Okoth et al, 1987). .…”