Plant-virus
Guides
Micrutalis
Micrutalis is a genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, containing at least 30 described species distributed throughout the Americas. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized treehoppers characterized by their distinctive pronotal morphology. Several species have been documented as vectors of plant pathogens, including Micrutalis malleifera, which transmits Pseudo-Curly Top Virus. The genus exhibits host plant associations primarily with herbaceous plants, including species in Solanaceae.
Micrutalis malleifera
pseudo-curly top treehopper
Micrutalis malleifera is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, commonly known as the pseudo-curly top treehopper. It is the only known member of its family capable of transmitting a plant disease agent, specifically the Tomato pseudo-curly top virus (genus Topocuvirus). The species has been documented from the southern United States through Central America, with confirmed host plant associations including Physalis walteri and Solanum elaeagnifolium.
Uroleucon pseudambrosiae
Wild Lettuce Aphid
Uroleucon pseudambrosiae is a North American aphid species that feeds on wild lettuce (Lactuca spp.) and related Asteraceae plants including dandelion (Taraxacum), pilewort (Erechtites hieracifolia), and Sonchus asper. It is known to serve as a vector for watermelon mosaic virus. The species exhibits parthenogenetic reproduction during spring and summer, forming all-female colonies.