BIOLOGY AND REARING OF PARAPHLEPSIUS IRRORATUS (HOMOPTERA: CICADELLIDAE), A VECTOR OF PEACH X-DISEASE

Abstract

A method of rearing Paraphlepsius irroratus (Say) under artificial conditions was developed by using a leguminous plant species as the oviposition host and a gramineous species as the food plant for nymphs. Nymphs completed their development on all 10 gramineous species tested. Total time for completion of the 5 nymphal instars ranged from 31.8 to 59.2 days, depending on the plant species used. With the exception of Alopecurus pratensis, all monocotyledonous species tested were found to be suitable food plants for nymphs, allowing 50% or more of the insects to survive for 3 weeks or more. Only 5 dicotyledonous species supported a similar survival level of nymphs. Adult survival remained above the 50% level on Apium graveolans var. dulce, 6 members of the Leguminosae, and all members of Composite with the exception of Callistephus chinensis. Survival of adult leafhoppers on monocotyledons was relatively high after 1 week but considerable mortality followed longer confinement. Although nymphs emerged from eggs laid on a wide range of plant species, the numbers recorded on monocotyledons suggest that monocots are important as oviposition hosts for P. irroratus in nature.