Survey and Seasonal Abundance of Leafhoppers Infesting Some Solanaceous and Cruciferous Crops.

Abstract

A survey and seasonal abundance of leafhopper species on certain selanaceous and cruciferous vegetable plants in Sharkia, Egypt were studied by using sweeping net and sticky board traps throughout 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 seasons. The obtained results showed that the dominant leafhopper species on pepper plants were Empoasca decipiens (Paoli), E. decedens (Paoli), Cicadulina chinai (Ghauri) and Circulifer tenellus (Baker). On eggplant E. decipiens, E. decedens, C. chinai and E. lybica (De Barg). On cabbage and cauliflower plants, E. decipiens, E. decedens and Balclutha hortensis (Lindb.) were found. The seasonal abundance of the dominant leafhopper species can be summarized as follows: The population density of E. decipiens were recorded two peaks at the 3 rd week of July and the 3 rd week of September, respectively on pepper and eggplant, while on cabbage and cauliflower plants two peaks were noticed at 4 th week of October and at the end of January, respectively. On the other hand, E. decedens had one peak occurred at the 2 nd week of August on eggplant plants and at the 2 nd week of November on cabbage and cauliflower plants, while on pepper plant tow peaks were showed at the 3 rd week of July and at the 3 rd week of September. Population of B. hortensis recorded one peak with high population density at the 2 nd week of October on cabbage and cauliflower plants. Population density of C. chinai recorded only one peak on pepper plants at the 3 rd week of September. On the other hand, population of E. lybica on eggplant showed two peaks at the 3 rd week of July and at the 3 rd week of September.