Abstract

BRENTASSI, María E.; CATALANO, María I.; PARADELL, Susana  and  MARINO DE REMES L, Ana M.. Characterization of Typhlocybella maidica (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and description of the damage caused in maize plants and associated gramineous in Argentina. Rev. Soc. Entomol. Argent. [online]. 2010, vol.69, n.1-2, pp.57-64. ISSN 1851-7471.

In surveys performed during 2006-2008 in order to identify the specific composition of auchenorrhynchous present in maize crops in the central area of Argentina, high densities of leafhoppers belonging to the Typhlocybinae subfamily were found in several sites associated with damage to corn leaves. This finding prompted the first mention of the Typhlocybella Baker genus for Argentina, and also the description of a new species: Typhlocybella maidica Catalano. The objective was to describe the feeding damage caused by T. maidica on its host plants and to show its main characteristics for identification. T. maidica is recognized by its small size (3mm), brown-yellowish color with two lateral fuscous spots on its crown, forewings with orange and brown marks, and the typical short and active flight movement among host plants. The damage produced consisted in typical chlorotic areas arranged in zigzag, on both foliar epidermises. Microscopic examination revealed lost of chloroplasts in mesophyll and vascular bundle parenchymal sheath cells and changes in the morphology of the chloroplasts of the bundle sheath. Also, the presence of salivary deposits particularly in relation to phloem was observed. T. maidica feeds primarily from mesophyll cell contents using the cell rupturing feeding strategy. The high frequency of leaf injuries on maize stimulates the pursuit of new studies in order to evaluate the importance of the damages caused by this species, as well as to determine if they play a role in the health of the crop.

Keywords : Zea mays; Leafhopper; Typhlocybinae; Sorghum vulgare; Digitaria sanguinalis.

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