Piesma

Lepelitier & Serville, 1825

ash-grey leaf bugs

Piesma is a of small ash-grey leaf in the , serving as the genus of the family. Members are less than 4 mm in length and occur across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The genus is distinguished from the similar genus Parapiesma by a notch in the side margins of the . in this genus are primarily and include economically significant pests such as Piesma quadratum, which transmits viral and -like to sugar beet and related .

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Piesma: //ˈpiːzmə//

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Identification

Piesma can be distinguished from the similar Parapiesma by the : Piesma has clearly notched side margins on the pronotum, which Parapiesma lacks. Members are less than 4 mm long with ash-grey coloration. development is variable: individuals are usually (fully winged) but sometimes (short-winged).

Distribution

North America (United States), Europe, Asia, Africa. Specific records include: United States (P. brachialis, P. ceramica, P. costata, P. explanata, P. patruela, P. protea, †P. rotunda), Europe and Asia (P. capitatum), Europe and Africa (P. maculatum), Africa (P. linnavuorii, P. marginepicta), China (P. xishaena), Botswana (P. dilutus).

Host Associations

Beta vulgaris - sugar beet; primary of P. quadratum
Spinach - recorded of P. quadratum
Mangold - recorded of P. quadratum
Chenopodiaceae - -level association for P. quadratum

Ecological Role

Some act as of . Piesma quadratum transmits the beet latent rosette (witches'-broom) , caused by a -like organism, and Beta Virus 3. The pathogen multiplies in the 's epithelium and before transmission to plants.

Human Relevance

Piesma quadratum is an agricultural pest of sugar beet, spinach, and related in the Chenopodiaceae. It causes direct feeding damage and transmits serious including latent rosette disease and beet curly top virus. The has forensic utility: Piesma were used as evidence in the 2007 Vincent Brothers murder trial, where their western U.S. distribution helped establish that a rental car had been driven to California.

Similar Taxa

ParapiesmaSimilar ash-grey leaf in the same ; distinguished by shape (Parapiesma lacks the notched side margins present in Piesma)