Host Suitability and Gas Exchange Response of Grapevines to Potato Leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Abstract

Although potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is highly polyphagous, classic host studies do not recognize grapevines (Vitis spp.), as suitable hosts. Recently, injury has been reported and reproduction documented within grape vineyards, suggesting a host expansion for the leafhopper. To document this apparent expansion in host use, we determined whether grape plants were suitable hosts for potato leafhopper reproduction, measured the consequence of feeding injury on gas exchange rates of grape leaves, and compared the susceptibility to feeding injury among cultivars. We found that potato leafhopper adults survived equally well on grape (Vitis vinifera L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and fava bean (Vicia faba L.). The total number of offspring was greater on fava bean but did not differ between alfalfa and grape. Injury to grapevines was assessed by measuring gas exchange responses of leaves in field cages and in greenhouse tests. We found marginally significant declines in photosynthesis and transpiration rates in the field (9.6 and 13.2%, respectively), and much stronger effects in greenhouse tests (ranging between 22 and 52%). Our results verify that Vitis is a suitable host, and that potato leafhopper is capable of injuring its gas exchange physiology. We discuss possible explanations for the host expansion, and its potential to damage commercial grapevines.

Larval development of Empoasca vitis and Edwardsiana rosae (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) at different temperatures on grapevine leaves

“…Our results also contribute to the increasing recognition of grapevine as a host plant for other leafhopper species than E. vitis (Mazzoni et al. 2001; Tiefenbrunner and Tiefenbrunner 2007; Lamp et al. 2011).…”

“…Reineke and M. Hauck therefore have a certain potential to also cause damage to grapevine plants. Our results also contribute to the increasing recognition of grapevine as a host plant for other leafhopper species than E. vitis (Mazzoni et al 2001;Tiefenbrunner and Tiefenbrunner 2007;Lamp et al 2011).…”

Prolonged phloem feeding by the spotted lanternfly, an invasive planthopper, alters resource allocation and inhibits gas exchange in grapevines

“…Insect phloem feeding can either promote or reduce C assimilation in host plants (Zhou et al, 2015 ). Evidence of reductions in grapevine C assimilation by phloem‐feeding insects has mostly involved insects that directly feed upon leaf tissues (Candolfi et al, 1993 ; Lamp et al, 2011 ; Lenz et al, 2012 ) or form galls (Nabity et al, 2013 ). In this study, we showed that prolonged exposure to SLF, an insect that feeds on the phloem of stems and trunks, can decrease photosynthetic rate, similar to other sap‐feeding insect pests of woody (Zvereva et al, 2010 ) and herbaceous plants (Watanabe & Kitagawa, 2000 ).…”