Diversity and abundance of leafhoppers (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae) in different crops in Egypt

Nowadays several viruses are known as pathogens able to trigger the dwarf syndromeof these viruses. Under natural conditions, the leafhopper species are detected asnatural vectors. The infected plants fall behind in their development. Leafhoppers werecollected from vegetable crops; potato, Solanum tuberosum (L.), egg plant, Solanummelongena (L.), pepper, Capsicum annuum (L) zucchini, Cucurbita pepo okra,Abelmoschus esculentus (L.), as well as from agronomic crops (alfalfa, Medicagosativa (L.) maize, Zea mays (L.) and rice, Oryza sativa (L.) in North and south Egypt.The leafhopper species collected during 2013 season were identified using only themorphological methods. In vegetable crops, the leafhopper species collected weremore than in the agronomic crops; on the other hand the leafhopper diversity inagronomic crops was greater than those in vegetable crops. Seven leafhopper specieshave been identified; the dominant species is Empoasca decipiens (82.5%), followedby Balclutha incisa and Sogatella vibix. In zucchini field, there was the highestleafhoppers (20%); followed by 15.3% in each of potato and pepper fields, while riceand alfalfa had the lowest leafhopper percents 7 and 6%, receptively. The presentresults provided the current knowledge and diversity of Cicadellidae populations invarious crops in Egypt, which could be supportive to make a future managementstrategy for such insect.

Keywords:

Agronomic and vegetable crops , leafhoppers , virus , Identification