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Leafhoppers of the subfamily Idiocerinae are predominantly found on trees and shrubs. They are characterized by a broad rounded head, extending little between the eyes, and a general 'wedge' shape. According to Viraktamath (1989), 14 idiocerine species, in three genera (Amritodus, Busoniomimus and Idioscopus), breed on mango trees and of these only six are of economic importance. Unfortunately, there is no comprehensive taxonomic treatment available to separate all the mango-associated species.

Related crop

  • Mangifera indica

Related Farm Practice

  • Host plants
  • Progeny
  • Effects
  • Fluctuations
  • Production
  • Incidence
  • Feeding
  • Damage
  • Economic valuation

Related location

  • India
  • Sri Lanka
Has Cabi datasheet ID
28471
Symptons

Nymphs and adults of Idioscopus species suck phloem sap from the inflorescences and leaves. The affected florets turn brown and dry up, and fruit setting is affected. Other effects of feeding are caused by honeydew on which sooty mould develops, affecting photosynthesis. Some damage may also occur through egg laying into the leaves and flower stems.

Hosts

I. nagpurensis is only known to attack mango trees, although it is also associated with other trees, at least in Sri Lanka (Gnaneswaran et al., 2007).

Host plant resistance

Presumably because of the time needed to grow mango trees large enough to test, there have been relatively few studies devoted to varieties resistant to attack by mango leafhoppers. Murthi and Abrahim (1983) investigated 12 mango varieties for population fluctuations of the hoppers during preflowering and postflowering periods by means of monthly sweeps of trees of uniform age. Progeny production by I. niveosparsus on floral branches was positively associated with the nitrogen content of the branches. Khaire et al. (1987) screened 19 varieties under field conditions for resistance to I. clypealis. In a study of the seasonal occurrence of mango leafhoppers, including I. nagpurensis, on a number of mango cultivars and hybrids in an orchard at Dharwad, Karnataka, India, cv. Baneshan and hybrid Neelgoa showed the lowest insect incidence (Shashidhar Viraktamath et al., 1996). Cultivars Baneshan and Khader and hybrids Neelgoa and Rumani were considered potentially useful in developing further resistant cultivars and hybrids.

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