Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach), the main fodder crop in eastern Africa, has recently been severely affected by Napier stunt disease, which is caused by phytoplasma. We have recently confirmed that a leafhopper, Maiestas banda (Kramer) transmits phytoplasma in Napier grass in Kenya. Several other species of leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) and planthoppers (Delphacidae) are also associated with Napier grass, and some could be potential vector(s) of phytoplasma, but little is known about phenology and movement activity of these insect groups. We monitored the populations of M. banda and other leafhoppers and planthoppers in Napier grass fields at two sites in western Kenya for 18 months. High population densities were observed for M. banda, suggesting that it plays a major role in the disease epidemics in the region. Sampling with Malaise traps and a vacuum-suction sampler revealed that M. banda and five other species (Cicadulina mbila (Naudé), Cofana polaris Young, Cofana unimaculata (Signoret), Leptodelphax dymas Fennah, Maiestas sp.) exhibited a high proportion of males in the trap catches, implying higher mobility in males than females. A suction sampler collected more individuals of three species (M. banda, Maiestas sp., and Thriambus strenuus Van Stalle) from phytoplasmainfected than healthy plants at both sites. The populations of M. banda and other five species (C. unimaculata, Maiestas sp., L. dymas, T. strenuus, and Rhinotettix sp. 1) showed a conspicuous peak at the end of the short rainy season (Sep to Dec), implying that common regulatory factors such as rainfall may affect the leafhopper and planthopper complex.

Burnilia japonica sp. n. of the delphacid subfamily Plesiodelphacinae from southern Japan (Kyushu, Yakushima, Okinawa) is described. The surprising discovery of a Burnilia-species in Japan is the first record of a member of this subfamily outside the New World. As the generic assignment is beyond any doubts, this finding reveals a puzzling geographic distribution of this group. A natural -indigenous -occurrence of B. japonica in Japan versus a recent introduction e.g., by human traffic, is discussed. A phylogenetic study of the whole Plesiodelphacinae including the Japanese species is desired.

The chromatographical behaviors of proteins on FAP column are described.Firstly the elution patterns from PAP column were aproximately same as those from HAP column.The recovery estimated with cytochrome c and others were aproximately 100 % but the less recovery was estimated for denatured proteins.The pH dependancy of protein adsorption on FAP was determined.All of proteins including very acidic proteins were adsorbed at pH 5 and were eluted at pH 8.