Preliminary observations on <i>Zelus obscuridorsis</i> (Stål) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) as predator of the corn leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Argentina
The corn leafhopper <i>Dalbulus maidis</i> (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is an important corn pest in most of tropical and subtropical America. This leafhopper has a rich natural enemy complex of which parasitoids and pathogens are the most studied; knowledge on its predators is limited. We...
Guardado en:
| Autores principales: | , , |
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| Formato: | Articulo Comunicacion |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
| Publicado: |
2015
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| Acceso en línea: | http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/86146 |
| Aporte de: |
| Sumario: | The corn leafhopper <i>Dalbulus maidis</i> (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is an important corn pest in most of tropical and subtropical America. This leafhopper has a rich natural enemy complex of which parasitoids and pathogens are the most studied; knowledge on its predators is limited. We noted the presence of the native assassin bug <i>Zelus obscuridorsis</i> (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) predating diverse motile insects, including the corn leafhopper, on corn plants cultivated in household vegetable gardens in San Miguel de Tucumán (Argentina); in order to verify its predatory actions, we exposed lab-bred individuals of <i>D. maidis</i> to adults of <i>Z. obscuridorsis</i>. The predators were starved for 24 h before trials in which the corn leafhopper in different developmental stages were exposed. <i>Zelus obscuridorsis</i> is highly skilled in catching specimens in motion, but it was not able to prey on eggs. The predator was capable to catch and prey on nymphs and adults. |
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