Plant damages caused by leafhopper, Empoasca terminalis Distant (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) on soybean were first encountered in 2007 in Makassar, South Sulawesi. The insect has been constantly associated with soybean crops in the province ever since. The purposes of the present study were to (i) evaluate potential yield loss attributable to the leafhopper in an experimental set up, (ii) seasonal abundance of E. terminalis, and (iii) distribution of E. terminalis in all major soybean-producing areas in the province. Potential yield loss due to the leafhopper was assessed in a field experiment using two large plots. One of the plots was kept leafhopper-free by weekly insecticide sprays; and the other plot was left unsprayed to allow leafhopper infestation to occur. Adult abundance was weekly monitored using a sweep net throughout the season. Nymph abundance was determined by direct count on the plant leaves. Leafhopper distribution was assessed through surveys conducted in all major soybean-producing areas in South Sulawesi, from 2009-2013. The results of the study showed that E. terminalis caused an average yield loss of 26% on susceptible crops without insecticide use. First leafhopper infestation in all planting seasons occurred two weeks after the plant emergence. Rainfall negatively correlated with the leafhopper abundance. The leafhopper existed in all major soybean production areas in the province. Therefore, our results confirmed the status of E. terminalis as an important soybean pest in the region. In addition, crops planted early in the dry season could escape from heavy leafhopper infestation. Nasruddin at al.: Potential, abundance, and distribution of E. terminalis tanam dengan penyemprotan insektisida sekali seminggu. Plot yang lain tidak disemprot, sehingga secara bebas terinfestasi oleh wereng daun. Fluktuasi populasi serangga dewasa dimonitor dengan menggunakan jaring serangga, sedangkan populasi nimfa dihitung langsung pada daun. Penyebaran wereng disurvei sejak 2009 hingga 2013 di sentra pertanaman kedelai di Sulawesi Selatan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa E. terminalis menyebabkan kehilangan hasil sebesar 26% pada tanaman rentan tanpa penggunaan insektisida. Infestasi pertama wereng terjadi dua minggu setelah tanaman berkecambah pada pertanaman awal dan akhir musim kemarau. Terdapat korelasi negatif antara curah hujan dan jumlah wereng. E. terminalis ditemukan pada semua sentra pertanaman kedelai di Sulawesi Selatan. Dengan demikian, hasil penelitian ini mempertegas status E. terminalis sebagai hama penting pada tanaman kedelai dan telah menyebar luas pada pertanaman kedelai di Sulawesi Selatan. Di samping itu, tanaman kedelai yang ditanam pada awal musim kemarau dapat terhindar dari serangan wereng yang berat.Kata kunci: hama kedelai, fluktuasi populasi, kerusakan tanaman

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