Survey of potential sharpshooter and spittlebug vectors of Xylella fastidiosa to grapevines at the São Francisco River Valley, Brazil. Pierce's disease of grapevines, caused by Xylella fastidiosa, is a serious problem in some regions of North America, not yet reported in Brazil. In this study, a survey of potential sharpshooter (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Cicadellinae) and spittlebug (Hemiptera, Cercopidae) vectors of X. fastidiosa was conducted in vineyards at the São Francisco River Valley, a major grape growing region in Brazil. Four vineyards of Vitis vinifera L. were sampled fortnightly from June/2005 to June/2007, using yellow sticky cards, each placed at two different heights (45 cm aboveground and 45 cm above the crop canopy) in 10 sampling localities. A total of 4,095 specimens of sharpshooters were collected, nearly all from 3 Proconiini species, Homalodisca spottii Takiya, Cavichioli & McKamey, 2006 (96.8% of the specimens), Tapajosa fulvopunctata (Signoret, 1854) (3.1%), and Tretogonia cribrata Melichar, 1926 (1 specimen). Hortensia similis (Walker, 1851) (2 specimens) was the only Cicadellini species. Only 1 cercopid specimen, belonging to Aeneolamia colon (Germar, 1821), was trapped. Even though they are not considered potential Xylella vectors, 2 Gyponini leafhoppers were collected: Curtara samera DeLong & Freytag, 1972 (11 specimens) and Curtara inflata DeLong & Freytag, 1976 (1 specimen). Homalodisca spottii was observed feeding and mating on green branches of grapevines, in addition to egg masses. Because of its prevalence on the crop canopy, occurrence throughout the year (with peaks from February to August), and ability to colonize grapevines, H. spottii could be an important vector if a X. fastidiosa strain pathogenic to grapevines becomes introduced at the São Francisco River Valley.

A produção de brocossomos é considerada uma característica dos Cicadellidae e pode representar uma inovação importante no desenvolvimento e diversificação deste grupo. O objetivo do estudo foi identificar as espécies de Proconiini formadoras de brocossomos de ovos associadas à cultura da videira na região da Serra Gaúcha. As características dos brocossomos de ovos e uma chave para identificação também são discutidas. Os espécimes foram coletados com cartões adesivos amarelos em quatro vinhedos (Vitis vinifera L.) no período de outubro de 2004 a maio de 2006. Foram identificadas oito espécies com capacidade de produzir brocossomos de ovos: Acrogonia citrina Marucci & Cavichioli; Homalodisca ignorata Melichar; Molomea consolida Schröder; Molomea lineiceps Young; Molomea personata (Signoret); Oncometopia facialis (Signoret); Oncometopia fusca Melichar e Tapajosa rubromarginata (Signoret). Os brocossomos de ovos são estruturas que podem ser utilizadas na identificação de espécies de Proconiini em videira.

Brochosomes production is considered a feature of Cicadellidae, and may represent an outstanding innovation which has played an important role in the development and diversification of this insect group. The objective of this study was to identify the species of Proconiini that produced egg brochosomes associated with grapevines in the Serra Gaúcha region of Brazil. Egg brochosome characteristics and an identification key are also discussed. The specimens were collected using yellow sticky cards in four vineyards (Vitis vinifera L.) from October 2004 to May 2006. Eight species capable of producing egg brochosomes were identified:Acrogonia citrina Marucci & Cavichioli; Homalodisca ignorata Melichar; Molomea consolida Schröder; Molomea lineiceps Young; Molomea personata (Signoret); Oncometopia facialis (Signoret); Oncometopia fusca Melichar; and Tapajosa rubromarginata (Signoret). Egg brochosomes are useful structures to identify Proconiini species in vine.

The females of Gypona gilba and Reticana vittata are described and illustrated based on specimens from Rio Grandedo Sul, Brazil.