Dalbulus

DeLong, 1950

corn leafhoppers

Species Guides

2

Dalbulus is a of leafhoppers in the Cicadellidae, Deltocephalinae, tribe Macrostelini. The genus comprises approximately 11 , with 10 species occurring in Mexico. Several species, particularly D. maidis (corn leafhopper) and D. elimatus (Mexican corn leafhopper), are economically significant agricultural pests. These species are highly efficient of maize stunting including Spiroplasma kunkelii (corn stunt spiroplasma), maize bushy stunt phytoplasma, and maize rayado fino virus. The genus exhibits a spectrum of plant specialization, with species ranging from maize (D. maidis, D. elimatus) to gamagrass specialists (D. tripsacoides, D. quinquenotatus, D. guzmani) and that utilize both host types.

Dalbulus by (c) Justin Williams, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Justin Williams. Used under a CC-BY license.Dalbulus maidis by Justin Williams. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dalbulus: /dælˈbuːləs/

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Habitat

in this are primarily associated with Poaceae , specifically maize (Zea mays) and its relative gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides). Maize are found in crop systems, while gamagrass specialists inhabit perennial grassland environments. Intermediate species occupy both habitat types. Winter crops including barley and sorghum serve as alternative habitats for some species during non-growing seasons.

Distribution

The is predominantly distributed in the Americas, with highest in Mexico. D. maidis and D. elimatus occur throughout maize-growing regions of Latin America. D. maidis has been documented in Argentina, where recent have caused significant crop damage. The distribution extends through Central and South America, with occurrence correlated with plant availability.

Diet

All are phloem-feeding herbivores that ingest plant sap from vascular tissues. Feeding occurs on xylem and phloem, with phloem ingestion being the primary mode of nutrient acquisition and the route of acquisition for species.

Host Associations

  • Zea mays - primary Maize D. maidis and D. elimatus; also used by
  • Tripsacum dactyloides - primary Gamagrass D. tripsacoides, D. quinquenotatus, D. guzmani; also used by
  • Zea diploperennis - relative of maize used by some
  • Hordeum vulgare - winter Barley serves as alternative for D. elimatus during winter
  • Sorghum bicolor - winter Sorghum serves as alternative for D. elimatus during winter

Life Cycle

Development from to varies by and plant. Maize exhibit the shortest developmental times: approximately 26 days for D. maidis and 27 days for D. elimatus on maize. Gamagrass specialists have longer developmental times: approximately 32 days for D. tripsacoides, 34 days for D. quinquenotatus, and 40 days for D. guzmani. Development is consistently faster on maize (mean 29 days across species) than on T. dactyloides (mean 34 days). Voltinism varies with climate and host plant .

Behavior

Oviposition has been characterized for the , with females exhibiting specific -laying patterns and plant preferences. Escape behavior has been documented in comparative studies with related genera. Probing behavior on host plants involves distinct phases of stylet penetration, with phloem feeding attempts characterized by salivation events followed by ingestion. can disrupt normal probing behavior, causing increased salivation without successful phloem ingestion.

Ecological Role

As primary consumers, Dalbulus function as phloem-feeding herbivores in grassland and agricultural . Their most significant ecological role is as of plant , particularly in agroecosystems where they transmit multiple maize stunting . The represents a model system for studying plant specialization, with species arrayed along an r-K continuum from plant to specialists. They serve as hosts for diverse natural enemies including (Mymaridae, Trichogrammatidae), parasitoids (Pipunculidae, Dryinidae), and fungi.

Human Relevance

D. maidis and D. elimatus are major agricultural pests causing substantial economic losses in maize production throughout Latin America. Estimated losses from D. maidis in Argentina have reached up to 80% of crop value. The primary damage mechanism is transmission rather than direct feeding injury. Management strategies include monitoring with yellow sticky traps, using , and development of maize hybrids. interference technology has been demonstrated as a potential genetic pest control tool. The has been extensively studied for program development.

Similar Taxa

  • BaldulusRelated leafhopper in tribe Macrostelini; shares similar and escape patterns
  • GraminellaAnother deltocephaline leafhopper containing maize-associated ; similar plant relationships and ecological roles

More Details

Pathogen Vector Efficiency

D. maidis is considered the most efficient of maize stunting in the Americas, capable of transmitting at least four distinct pathogens: Spiroplasma kunkelii, maize bushy stunt phytoplasma, maize rayado fino virus, and potentially additional uncharacterized pathogens.

Research Significance

The serves as an important model for studying herbivore-plant , race formation, and the evolutionary of insect-vectored plant . The r-K continuum represented by Dalbulus specialization has been used to test theory predictions.

Natural Enemy Complex

documented for Dalbulus include Anagrus species (Mymaridae), Paracentrobia species, Pseudoligosita species, and Ufens niger (Trichogrammatidae). parasitoids include Eudorylas subopacus (Pipunculidae) and Gonatopus bartletti (Dryinidae).

Biological Control Potential

Anagrus naulti, a newly described from Mexico, is an of D. quinquenotatus and represents a potential agent. Foreign exploration for natural enemies has been conducted in Argentina and Mexico for programs.

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