Economic Importance of Stictocephala

Vitis vinifera(Vitales: Vitaceae) as a Reproductive Host ofSpissistilus festinus(Hemiptera: Membracidae)

“…Spissistilus festinus has a wide range of feeding and reproductive hosts with the best studied host species being herbaceous plants (Mueller and Dumas 1987, Wildermuth 1915). A number of trees and shrubs have also been reported as feeding hosts (Newsom et al 1983, Wistrom et al 2010); however, only wedgeleaf saltbush ( Atriplex truncata ), cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium ), and apple ( Malus pumila ) have heretofore been reported as reproductive woody hosts of S. festinus (Moore and Mueller 1976, Mueller and Dumas 1987, Osborn 1911, Wildermuth 1915). Our finding that V. vinifera can serve as a reproductive host is particularly significant given its status as a vector of GRBV (Bahder et al 2016).…”

Three-cornered Alfalfa Hopper Spissistilus festinus (Say) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Membracidae)

“…Spissistilus festinus is frequently found in the southern and southwestern United States. The species is less abundant in the northern United States and southern Canada (Osborn 1911, Wildermuth 1915, Caldwell 1949, Moellenbeck et al 1993, Deitz and Wallace 2012.…”

“…L.), and vetch (Vicia spp. L.) (Wildermuth 1915, Osborn 1911, Mueller and Dumas 1987, Newsom et al 1983.…”

“…Mainly third, fourth, and fifth nymphal instars and adults can create stem girdles leading to lodging, stem breakage, and stand reduction (Caviness and Miner 1962, Meich and Randolph 1965, Bailey 1975, Tugwell et al 1972, Moore and Muller 1976, Mueller and Jones 1983, Mitchel and Newsom 1984, Anderson et al 2002. The nutrient flow becomes interrupted, and photosynthates accumulate in the area above the girdle leading to the breakage of the stem (Osborn 1911, Wildermuth 1915, Mitchel and Newsom 1984, Anderson et al 2002. With the progression of plant age, the proportion of the feeding injury by Spissistilus festinus shifts from main stems to petioles (Rice and Dress 1985).…”