Host range of Lepidelphax pistiae (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) and its potential impact on Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae)

Abstract

Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae) is a floating aquatic plant that has become invasive in Florida. It is primarily controlled with herbicides, but two biocontrol agents have previously been released to assist in management of this species. A new potential biocontrol agent from Argentina, Lepidelphax pistiae Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), has been evaluated comprehensively for specificity after initial host range studies done in its native range indicated that it is likely specific to P. stratiotes. Host range studies indicated that this insect is specific to P. stratiotes, with no survival or reproduction occurring on any of the 42 other plant species tested. Impact studies indicated that this insect can significantly damage P. stratiotes at medium and high population densities, which were comparable to those seen in its native range. Lepidelphax pistiae is sufficiently specific enough to warrant release and has a high probability of aiding management of P. stratiotes populations in Florida.

Herbivore suppression of waterlettuce in Florida, USA

“…Lepidelphax pistiae Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), is a waterlettuce specific, classical biological control agent that was considered for release in Florida (Cabrera et al, 2014;Goode et al, 2019). Lepidelphax pistiae significantly reduced waterlettuce growth and flower production alone and in conjunction with N. affinis (Cabrera et al, 2014;Cabrera and Maestro 2016;Goode et al, 2019). All L. pistiae life stages except the egg stage, are highly mobile and can readily migrate to nearby untreated refugia.…”

Estimation of direct damage to maize seedlings by the corn leafhopper,Dalbulus maidis(Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), under different watering regimes

“…Hopperburn is induced by several hopper species (mostly Typhlocybinae in the Cicadellidae) by a dynamic interaction between insect feeding stimuli and complex plant responses; it causes millions of dollars' worth of yield loss and control costs (Backus et al ., 2005). On the other hand, few studies have quantified direct damages, such as the reduction of biomass, yield, or hydric stress, and most of them were focused on Delphacidae (Noda, 1986; Wilson and Claridge, 1991; Sarao and Bentur, 2018; Goode et al ., 2019), and a few devoted to Cicadellidae (Cuperus et al ., 1983; Jones et al ., 2000; Atakan, 2009; Ersin et al ., 2017).…”