Descriptions of the immature stages and new host plant records of Notozulia entreriana (Berg) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) pests of grasses in subtropical areas of the Americas

Abstract

Notozulia entreriana (Berg) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) is one of the most common spittlebugs inhabiting the subtropical region of the America, inflicting important economic damage to grass crops. The immature stages are described and illustrated; the main characteristics that distinguish instars are the body size, color, number of flagellomeres, and number of tibial and metatarsomere spines. A key for identification of nymphs is provided as a tool to develop field studies. Nine host plants, all belonging to Poaceae, are recorded as breeding and feeding host plants from different localities in northern Argentina.

Overview of spittlebugs of the family Cercopidae (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) from Mexico, with keys to genera and species

“…Among hosts, spittlebugs show preferences for nitrogenfixing plants (Thompson, 1994). This feature, combined with their high reproductive potential and short life cycles, makes numerous Cercopidae species significant pests, particularly of forage grasses and sugar cane in Latin America (Cardona et al, 2004;Carvalho, 1990;Fagan & Kuitert, 1969;Foieri et al, 2016;Orozco-Restrepo et al, 2017;Paladini & Cryan, 2012;Peck, 2001).…”

Description of the immature stages and new host plant records of Deois (Deois) mourei (Berg) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae), a species newly recorded from Argentina and Paraguay

“…Despite their importance, there is a significant lack of information on various biological aspects of these insects. For example, in South America the immature stages have been described only in Kanaima fluvialis, Aeneolamia reducta and Notozulia entreriana (Cavichioli, 1987;Peck, 2002;Foieri et al, 2016).…”

“…fifth instar Remarks. The third to fifth nymphal instar of D. (D.) mourei can be reliably separated from those of N. entreriana that live in similar environments; although they are very similar because many characters are shared (colour, number of antennal flagellomeres, body and pronotum shape), other structures like the number of apical and lateral spines in the metatibia and basal tarsi and characters in the antenna permit separation of the species (Foieri et al, 2016).…”

“…From field and laboratory observations D. (D.) mourei seems to be mostly associated with natural communities of grasses because it was rarely collected from crops. This species showed high specificity for S. parviflora when choosing a breeding host plant, differing from other species such N. entreriana and Deois (D.) knoblauchii (Berg), which are associated with a wide range of breeding and feeding host plants (Box, 1929;Foieri et al, 2016).…”

“…Key to differentiate the third to fifth nymphal instars of D. (D.) mourei and Notozulia entreriana (SeeFoieri et al (2016) for a complete description of N. entreriana nymphs)1.Metatibia with 6 apical spines .. . .…”