Population fluctuation of sharpshooters vectors of Xylella fastidiosa wells et al. in commercial citrus groves in Northwestern Parand State

• Author(s): Corazza-Nunes, MJ; De Albuquerque, FA; Machado, MA; Molina, RDO; Nunes, WMC; Zanutto, CA;
• Abstract: The citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC), an important disease of citrus in Brazil, is caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al. and transmitted by xylem-feeding sharpshooters (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). This study evaluated the fluctuation of populations of species of sharpshooters belonging to the tribes Cicadellini and Proconiini, from subfamily Cicadelinae, in a commercial sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.] grove, located in the Northwest Region of Parana State, Brazil, in four varieties: Valencia, Natal, Pera, and Folha Murcha. Sharpshooters population was monitored using yellow stick traps sampled at 15 day-intervals, in 24 traps, from November of 1999 to March of 2004. The most abundant species were Dilobopterus costalimai Young (tribe Cicadellini) and Acrogonia citrina Marucci & Cavichioli (tribe Proconiini). Both species were detected during the complete period studied, which is important because they have great potential for transmitting CVC. Thus, since more than a sharpshooter species were detected, more efforts are recommended to monitor and control these insects in citrus groves, aiming to reduce the dissemination of CVC.
• Publication Date: Mar 2007
• Journal: Neotropical Entomology