Most appropriate population monitoring technique for Deltocephalus menoni (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae); vector of sugarcane white leaf disease Chanchala K.M.G.1,*, Jayathilaka H.M.A.S.2, Perera R.N.N.2, Wanasinghe V.K.S.M.1, Kodithuwakku K.A.D.1, Chandrasekara A.M.L.C.M.2 1Sugarcane Research Institute, Uda Walawe, Sri Lanka 2Department of Export Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka *Corresponding Author : chanchala@sugarres.lk
Online published on 2 February, 2024. Abstract Sugarcane White Leaf Disease (WLD) in Sri Lanka is secondarily transmitted by leaf hopper vector; Deltocephalus menoni. As, D. menoni is abundant in all commercial cane growing areas of the country, accurate measurement on population level of vector has become vital in designing effective program for WLD vector management. This study was conducted with the objective of determining the best monitoring method for the D. menoni. Sweep net (during morning and evening), Light traps (white and blue lights) and Sticky traps (Red, yellow, Blue and Transparent) were evaluated to determine the most suitable population monitoring technique for the WLD vector. Population data related to each method was collected at three-day intervals. Meteorological data, lunar phase and cloud cover were recorded to define their effect for population counts. Vector populations recorded with sticky traps were significantly less. Sweep-net population counts in the morning (6.36±0.7) and evening (5.79±0.74) were not significantly different during the day. No fluctuation of population count recorded throughout the month. Average trap capture was significantly high in light traps with white light (11.91±1.37) comparatively to the blue light (8.09±1.33). Population count was correlated negatively (-0.64; p 0.02) with lunar phase when there is no cloud cover and positively (0.97: p<0.001) with cloud cover during the period of full moon. Thereby, vector populations were fluctuated significantly with moon light and cloud cover. No effect of meteorological factors on population recorded for any monitoring method during the study period. Sweep net monitoring is the most appropriate and fitting population monitoring technique for D. menoni as it provides noticeable population count with no fluctuation and minimum cost per count. Top Keywords Deltocephalus menoni, Light trap, Sticky trap, Sugarcane White Leaf Disease, Sweep net, Vector. Top |