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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #228017
Title: Abundance and consumption rate of glassy-winged sharpshooter (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) on peaches and plums

Author
item ANDERSON, P - University Of Florida
item MIZELL, III, R - University Of Florida
item BRODBECK, B - University Of Florida
item Beckman, Thomas
item KREWER, G - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Journal of Entomological Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/25/2008
Publication Date: 12/29/2008
Citation: Anderson, P.C., Mizell, III, R.F., Brodbeck, B.V., Beckman, T.G., Krewer, G. 2008. Abundance and consumption rate of glassy-winged sharpshooter (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) on peaches and plums. Journal of Entomological Science. 43(4):394-407.

Interpretive Summary: The glassy winged sharpshooter (leafhopper) is a primary vector of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, the causal agent of phony peach and plum leaf scald which are important diseases of peach and plum, respectively, in the southeastern US. Despite the economic importance of these diseases to commercial industries very little is known about the seasonal feeding behavior, preferences and consumption rates of the insect vector as influenced by different peach varieties and rootstocks. This study revealed significant differences in varietal preferences that could, in turn, be correlated with sap chemistry. Additionally, this study demonstrated that rootstock choice also influenced the host attractiveness for the insect vector. This information has immediate use in grower selection of both varieties and rootstocks for use in areas where these diseases are of significance and it will be useful in the design of screens for evaluating host attractiveness of new stone fruit varieties and rootstocks.

Technical Abstract: Homalodisca vitripennis, also known as the glassy-winged sharpshooter, is a primary vector of phony peach and plum leaf scald diseases caused by Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al. Two of the following scions, (Prunus persica L. Batch cvs. Flordaking and June Gold and Prunus salicina L. cvs. Methley and Santa Rosa) were budded on each of three P. persica rootstocks (cvs. Aldrighi. Lovell and Nemaguard). Leafhopper abundance was monitored on each of the two scions budded on each rootstock and on non budded rootstocks over a two-year period. During year one the germplasm consisted of container-grown plants and during the next dormant season the germplasm was planted in the field. For both years, leafhopper abundance was greatest during early June, and leafhopper abundance was much higher on Methley and Santa Rosa compared to the peach genotypes. The feeding rates of leafhoppers were substantially higher on plum scions than on peach scions, and night time feeding rates often tended to be higher than daytime rates. Mean leafhopper feeding rates were correlated to leafhopper abundance on Prunus genotypes from 3 to 8 June in a quadratic manner (F=53.8, df=2,12, R2=0.90, P<0.0001); the mean night time feeding rate was best correlated linearly to mean cumulative leafhopper abundance (F=446.9, df=1,13, R2=0.972, P<0.0001).