A novel method to induce oviposition of the glassy-winged sharpshooter (Hemiptera : Auchenorrhyncha : Cicadellidae)

• Author(s): Andersen, Peter; Brodbeck, Brent; Hunter, Wayne; Lopez-Gutierrez, E.; Mizell, Russell; Tipping, Christopher;
• Abstract: : Research on the main vector of Pierce's Disease of grapes, Homalodisca coagulata, the glassy-winged sharpshooter, is often hindered by lack of the supply of leafhoppers or their eggs. To solve this problem, gravid Homalodisca coagulata females were induced into ovipositing a significantly greater proportion of their eggs 24h after a desiccation treatment with a directed flow of warm air (40C, 5.0 meters per second) for 15 m than untreated females. Treated and untreated females oviposited 54.5% and 28.2% of their eggs, respectively, regardless of host plant. Use of induced oviposition will aid studies currently examining sharpshooter development. The California Department of Food and Agriculture; and the University of California, Davis provided funding towards this research. Contribution of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series number R-10335.
• Publication Date: Apr 2005
• Journal: Journal Of Entomological Science