First insights into the influence of aster yellows phytoplasmas on the behaviour of the leafhopper Mgenia fuscovaria Krüger Kerstin*, Venter Frank, Schröder Michelle L. Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa *Corresponding author e-mail: Kerstin Krüger (kkruger@zoology.up.ac.za)
Online published on 2 January, 2015. Abstract Phytoplasmas can alter the behaviour of their insect vectors by modifying host plant and insect characteristics. In a dualchoice cage experiment, field-collected adult Mgenia fuscovaria were preferentially attracted by grapevine (cultivar Colombard) branches infected with aster yellows phytoplasma compared with uninfected branches. The influence of colour as a visual stimulus for M. fuscovaria was determined in a field trial. More adults were trapped on yellow and lime green than red, blue, white, and dark grey sticky colour cards. Within the green-yellow wavelength range more adults were attracted by the colour with the highest peak reflectance. Yellow is suitable for monitoring M. fuscovaria. Top Keywords Colour, Cicadellidae, insect vector, preference. Top |