Suitability of common weed species as host plants for the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae

Abstract

The suitability of 13 weed species as host plants for the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) was compared to alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., and broad bean, Vicia faba L., in laboratory and greenhouse tests. Nymphs developed and adults reproduced on five of the weeds: smartweed (Polygonum pensylvanicum L.), pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), shepherdspurse (Capsella bursa‐pastoris (L.) Medic.), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber), and carpetweed (Mollugo verticillata L.). Adults survived and oviposited on all tested weeds, suggesting that nymph survival was the limiting factor in host suitability. Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.), crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.), and foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm.) were least suitable for adult and nymph survival. Large nymphs (instar III–IV) were able to complete development on weed species that did not support small nymph (instar I–II) development to adulthood. Densities of nymphs on weeds from alfalfa fields as well as the laboratory studies suggested that the weed species are less suitable as hosts and thus weeds probably do not affect population increases of potato leafhopper within weedy alfalfa fields by serving as hosts. Weeds may however, interact with the crop to alter leafhopper colonization, dispersal, and/or reproduction. In addition, since some broadleaf weeds are suitable hosts, the leafhopper may have a secondary beneficial role for biological weed control. These interactions should be considered when evaluating pest management practices. Zusammenfassung Eignung häufiger Unkrautarten als Wirte von Empoasca fabae Der Wirtskreis der Empoasca fabae (Harris) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) wurde im Labor und im Freiland untersucht. Dreizehn Unkrautarten, wie auch Luzerne (Medicago sativa L.) und Vicia faba L., wurden im Laborversuchen geprüft. Die Entwicklung der Nymphen und die Eiablage setzten auf fünf Unkrautarten fort: auf Polygonum pensylvanicum L., Amaranthus retroflexus L., Capsella bursa‐pastoris (L.) Medic., Taraxacum officinale Weber und Mollugo verticillata L. Die Eiablage und das Weiterleben der Imagines geht auf alien untersuchten Unkräutern weiter. Dies weist darauf hin, dass die Lebensdauer der Nymphen die Eignung der Wirte begrenzt. Das Weiterleben der Imagines und der Nymphen waren auf Cyperus esculentus L., Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. und Setaria faberi Herrm. am stärksten verkürzt. Die Altnymphentwicklung (3. und 4. Stadien) bis zur Imago war auf Unkräutern gewährleistet, dagegen erfolgte die Jungnymphentwicklung (1. und 2. Stadien) bis zur Imago nicht. Populationsproben von Luzerne im Freiland, wie auch die Ergebnisse der Laboruntersuchungen, zeigten, dass Unkräuter nicht im Wirtskreis der Nymphen von E. fabae sind und dass Unkräuter in Luzernefeldern keinen Einfluss auf die Populationszunahme in solcher Feldern haben. Unkräuter in Luzerne dürften aber die Kolonisierung, Verteilung der Population im Feld wie auch das Vermehrungspotential von E. fabae verändern. Weil einige Unkräuter Wi...

Effects of Weed Management Systems on Canopy Insects in Herbicide-Resistant Soybeans

“…This result is in agreement with most other studies related to weeds and potato leafhopper populations , Lamp et al 1984, Andow 1992, Tonhasca 1994.…”

“…However, systems with fewer weeds seemingly were preferred by potato leafhoppers. These Þndings agree with other studies of habitat preference by some insects for weedy areas , Shelton and Edwards 1983 and other insects for less weedy areas (Lamp et al 1984, Hammond and Stinner 1987, Lam and Pedigo 1998. Bean leaf beetles and potato leafhoppers showed preferences for certain varieties, but this was attributed to preferences related to soybean plant height.…”

“…However, Lam and Pedigo (1998) found that population densities of pests such as bean leaf beetles, Cerotoma trifurcata (Fö rster), and potato leafhoppers, Empoasca fabae (Harris), were signiÞ-cantly greater in reduced tillage plots with fewer weeds compared with no-till plots. This difference corresponded to similar Þndings about potato leafhoppers , Lamp et al 1984, Hammond and Stinner 1987, Andow 1992, Tonhasca 1994.…”

The biology of Canadian weeds. 117. Taraxacum officinale G. H. Weber ex Wiggers

“…(Fox and Caldwell 1994), but significantly fewer of these bugs survived on T. officinale than on milkweed species. Nymphs of the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), develop and adults survive and reproduce on T. officinale (Lamp et al 1984). It was suggested that the leafhopper may have a role as a biological weed control agent.…”

Density of Potato Leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) in Response to Soybean-Wheat Cropping Systems

“…Potato leafhoppers that develop on soybean then may disperse to infest and damage other, more susceptible crops. The species has a wide host range, including Ͼ200 known species Wheeler 1943, 1949;Lamp et al 1984b;Ranne and Lamp 1990). In the northeastern and midwestern United States, potato leafhopper is an important pest of leguminous Þeld and horticultural crops, potatoes, and many garden vegetables and ornamentals (Miklasiewicz 1997).…”