Phytoplasma-vector
Guides
Amplicephalus
Amplicephalus is a genus of leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in the tribe Deltocephalini. At least one species, A. funzaensis, has been documented as a vector for phytoplasmas of groups 16SrI and 16SrVII in Colombia, transmitting these plant pathogenic bacteria to bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris). The genus belongs to a large group of phloem-feeding insects with potential agricultural significance as disease vectors.
Balclutha
Balclutha is a large genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, with over 100 species and a cosmopolitan distribution. The genus is named after Balclutha, Scotland. These small insects are primarily associated with grasses and sedges (Poaceae), and several species have become economically significant as pests of cereal crops, particularly rice. Some species are known vectors of plant pathogens, including phytoplasmas affecting grapevine and other crops. The genus includes both native and introduced species, with several documented cases of recent range expansion through international trade.
Balclutha incisa
leafhopper
Balclutha incisa is a small leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, widespread in tropical and temperate regions. It is notably abundant in grasses and rice fields, where it feeds on host plants including rice (Oryza sativa) and various grasses. The species has been documented as a vector for 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' associated with grapevine disease 'bois noir'. Research has characterized its complex acoustic communication system, with males producing six distinct signal types and females engaging in precise duetting behavior. The species serves as host for multiple novel viruses including members of Aliusviridae, Iflaviridae, and Totiviridae families.
Cacopsylla
jumping plant lice, pear psyllids
Cacopsylla is a genus of jumping plant lice (family Psyllidae) comprising species that are significant agricultural pests, particularly of fruit trees. The genus includes most psyllids within subfamily Psyllinae that cause economic damage to orchards. Several species act as vectors for phytoplasma-associated diseases including Apple Proliferation, European Stone Fruit Yellows, and Pear Decline. Phylogenetic studies reveal two major clades that diverged in the Miocene, with Clade I predominantly univoltine species that overwinter on conifers. Vector competence has evolved independently rather than through shared ancestry.
Cacopsylla pyricola
pear sucker, pear psylla
Cacopsylla pyricola is a phloem-feeding true bug in the family Psyllidae and a major economic pest of pear trees (Pyrus communis). Native to Europe, it was introduced to the eastern United States in the early 1800s and has since spread to major pear-growing regions including the Pacific Northwest. The species exhibits distinct seasonal morphotypes: summerforms are pale while winterforms are reddish-brown to black. It is a vector of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri', the causative agent of pear decline disease.
Cixiidae
cixiid planthoppers
A family of small fulgoroid planthoppers comprising over 2,000 species in more than 150 genera worldwide. Adults are typically less than one centimeter in length and often inconspicuous. Nymphs develop underground feeding on roots, while adults feed on herbs, shrubs, and trees. Several species are economically significant as vectors of phytoplasma diseases affecting coconut palms, grapevines, sugar beets, and lilies.
Colladonus montanus
Mountain Leafhopper
Colladonus montanus is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, commonly known as the Mountain Leafhopper. It is a documented vector of X-disease phytoplasma, capable of transmitting this plant pathogen to experimental hosts including Arabidopsis thaliana. Research has examined its dispersal behavior in agricultural settings, particularly cherry orchards. The species has been studied for its role in phytoplasma disease ecology and the effects of plant defense compounds on its transmission efficiency.
Derbidae
Derbid Planthoppers, Derbids
Derbidae is a large and diverse family of planthoppers within the superfamily Fulgoroidea, comprising over 1,700 described species in 166 genera. Adults are small sap-sucking insects typically 5–10 mm in length, with highly variable morphology across subfamilies and tribes. The family exhibits striking diversity in wing shape, head structure, and antennae form. Nymphs develop in decaying organic matter, particularly under bark of dead trees and in palm debris, where they feed on fungi—an unusual life history trait among planthoppers. Several species are economically significant as suspected vectors of phytoplasma diseases affecting palms, including lethal yellowing and related syndromes, though clear evidence of transmission remains limited.
Elymana pacifica
Elymana pacifica is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Hamilton in 1985. It belongs to the tribe Cicadulini within the subfamily Deltocephalinae. The species is known from western North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada. Like other members of its family, it is a phloem-feeding insect associated with grasses and other plants.
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hronologytype-XXVIII-S-C-mylonite-abuse-abolition-chronologytype-XXIX-S-C-mylonite-abuse-abolition-chronologytype-XXX-S-C-mylonite-abuse-abolition-chronologyEuscelidius variegatus
leafhopper
Euscelidius variegatus is a multivoltine, polyphagous leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, widespread across Europe and North America. It serves as a natural vector of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' (chrysanthemum yellows strain) and as a laboratory vector for Flavescence dorée phytoplasma and the X-disease phytoplasma affecting cherry production. The species has become a model organism for studying phytoplasma-vector interactions due to its ease of laboratory rearing compared to natural vectors like Scaphoideus titanus. Development from egg to adult occurs in approximately 35 days under controlled conditions, with adult longevity averaging 52 days.
Fieberiella florii
privet leafhopper, Flor's leafhopper, cherry leafhopper
Fieberiella florii is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, native to Europe and established in North America. It is a phloem-feeding insect that develops on multiple woody host plants, particularly in stone fruit orchards and surrounding vegetation. The species has been experimentally confirmed as a vector of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma mali', the causal agent of apple proliferation disease. In western Oregon, it shows a distinct seasonal cycle with overwintering eggs, spring nymph emergence, and peak adult populations in summer.
Fieberiellini
Fieberiellini is a tribe of leafhoppers in the subfamily Deltocephalinae, containing 48 species across 10 genera. Members are predominantly native to the southern Palaearctic region, with some species established adventively in the Nearctic. The tribe includes economically significant species such as Fieberiella florii, a known vector of phytoplasma diseases affecting cherry trees.
Halticus
fleahoppers, jumping plant bugs
Halticus is a genus of fleahoppers in the family Miridae, containing at least 20 described species. Members are commonly known as jumping plant bugs due to their characteristic leaping behavior. Some species are economically significant agricultural pests, particularly of cotton and sweet potato, while at least one species has been identified as a putative vector of phytoplasma plant pathogens.
Haplaxius
Haplaxius is a genus of cixiid planthoppers (Hemiptera: Cixiidae) in the tribe Oecleini, containing at least 60 described species with a New World distribution. The genus was reinstated by Emeljanov in 1989 for New World species formerly placed in Myndus. Several species are economically significant as vectors of phytoplasmas causing lethal diseases in palms. Haplaxius crudus transmits Candidatus Phytoplasma palmae, the causal agent of lethal yellowing in coconut palms and lethal wilt in oil palms, causing substantial agricultural losses in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and the southern United States.
Hishimonus
Hishimonus is a genus of leafhoppers (Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) established by Ishihara in 1953. Species in this genus are distributed across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, with particular diversity in the Indian subcontinent. Multiple Hishimonus species are economically significant as vectors of phytoplasma diseases affecting citrus, jujube, brinjal (eggplant), and other crops. H. phycitis transmits witches'-broom disease of lime and brinjal little leaf disease; H. hamatus transmits jujube witches' broom; and H. sellatus transmits Rhus yellows. Several species have been introduced to Europe, including H. diffractus and H. hamatus.
Jikradia
Jikradia is a genus of leafhoppers (family Cicadellidae) first described by Nielson in 1979. The genus contains over 20 described species distributed across the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions, with records from North America, Central America, and the Old World. At least one species, Jikradia olitoria, has been identified as a putative vector of phytoplasmas causing North American Grapevine Yellows disease. The genus has undergone recent taxonomic revision with four new species described from Mesoamerica.
Lepyronia
spittlebugs, froghoppers
Lepyronia is a genus of froghoppers (spittlebugs) in the family Aphrophoridae, comprising approximately 17 described species distributed across the Holarctic region. Nymphs develop within protective spittle masses on host plant stems, feeding on xylem sap. The genus includes notable agricultural and forest pests, with at least one species confirmed as a vector of phytoplasma plant pathogens. Adults are active in mid-summer and are capable of jumping considerable distances.
Macrosteles
leafhoppers
Macrosteles is a genus of leafhoppers (Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) comprising more than 80 species distributed primarily in the northern hemisphere. Members are phloem-feeding insects with piercing-sucking mouthparts. Several species are economically significant as vectors of phytopathogenic phytoplasmas, including "Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris" (aster yellows disease) and "Candidatus Phytoplasma oryzae" (rice yellow dwarf). Some species exhibit migratory behavior. The genus harbors complex endosymbiotic microbiota including obligate nutritional symbionts "Candidatus Sulcia muelleri" and "Candidatus Nasuia deltocephalinicola".
Macrosteles laevis
Macrosteles laevis is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Ribaut in 1927. The species belongs to a genus known for transmitting plant pathogens, particularly phytoplasmas that cause diseases in crops. It has been recorded across parts of Europe, Asia, and North America.
Macrosteles quadrilineatus
Aster leafhopper, Six-spotted leafhopper
Macrosteles quadrilineatus is a small leafhopper species native to the United States and a major agricultural pest. It is the primary vector of aster yellows phytoplasma, transmitting the pathogen to vegetable crops including carrot, celery, lettuce, and potato. Adults migrate northward in spring on southerly winds, often arriving in the Midwest and northern regions earlier and in greater numbers than resident overwintering populations. The species exhibits polyphagous feeding behavior on numerous grasses, cereals, and broadleaf plants.
Oecleini
Oecleini is a tribe of planthoppers (Hemiptera: Cixiidae) established by Muir in 1922. Members exhibit distinctive wing venation patterns, including a trifid anterior MP branch in forewings and I-type hindwing venation with complete fusion of MP3+4 with CuA1. Some species possess subterranean adaptations, including a double-grasping coxo-femoral and femoro-tibial system in nymphs for clinging to roots. The tribe includes economically significant species investigated as potential vectors of palm phytoplasmas.
Orientus ishidae
Japanese leafhopper, Mosaic leafhopper
Orientus ishidae is a leafhopper native to East Asia that has established populations across Europe and North America. Adults measure 4.5–6.5 mm and display a distinctive mosaic pattern on the forewings with an orange band between the eyes. The species is recognized as an alternative vector of phytoplasma diseases affecting grapevines, including Flavescence dorée, and has demonstrated capacity to acquire pathogens associated with Apple Proliferation and Elm Yellows. Its introduction to European agricultural landscapes has raised concerns due to its broad host plant range and potential to bridge wild and cultivated pathosystems.
Paraphlepsius
Paraphlepsius is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, tribe Pendarini, subfamily Deltocephalinae, containing approximately 70 described species. The genus is best known from detailed studies of Paraphlepsius irroratus, which serves as a vector of plant pathogens including the peach X-disease phytoplasma and the clover phyllody mycoplasmalike organism. Members of this genus are phloem-feeding insects with documented associations with grasses, legumes, and various agricultural crops.
Reptalus
Reptalus is a genus of planthoppers in the family Cixiidae, established by Emeljanov in 1971. Species in this genus are widely distributed across Europe and parts of Asia, with documented occurrences in European Russia, Kazakhstan, Korea, and Serbia. Multiple Reptalus species have been implicated as vectors of phytoplasma plant pathogens, particularly 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani', which causes economically significant diseases such as potato stolbur. The genus exhibits sexual dimorphism in some species, and identification traditionally requires examination of male genitalia, limiting identification of females and nymphs.
Saccharosydne
delphacid planthoppers
Saccharosydne is a genus of delphacid planthoppers in the family Delphacidae, established by Kirkaldy in 1907. The genus comprises approximately nine described species distributed across the Americas, with the type species Saccharosydne saccharivora (Westwood, 1833) being a major pest of sugar-cane. Species in this genus are phloem-feeding insects associated with grasses and sugar-cane, with some serving as vectors of plant pathogens including phytoplasmas.
Taylorilygus apicalis
Broken-backed Bug
Taylorilygus apicalis, commonly known as the broken-backed bug, is a small plant bug in the family Miridae. Adults measure 4–5 mm and are typically light green or tan with distinctive brown wing markings. The species is named for its characteristic wing posture, with tips bent downward at approximately 45°. It has a cosmopolitan distribution across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania, and is known to feed primarily on Asteraceae species.