Abstract: We have identified specimens of the leafhopper Gypona cerea DeLong & Freytag (Cicadellidae: Iassinae: Gyponini) collected from a crop of dwarf cashew (Anacardium occidentale Linnaeus 1753) located in Canto do Buriti, Piauí, Northeastern Brazil. The damage caused to the crop included inflorescences covered with sticky exudates, presence of sooty mold, and yellowing and drying of new shoots and inflorescences. Such documentation serves as a warning about possible outbreaks of infestation in the region and the likelihood of its expansion to other cashew producing areas.

In some American countries, grapevines are affected by Pierce's disease (PD), which is caused by a particular strain of Xylella fastidiosa not yet reported in Brazil. In order to investigate the potential for PD spread in Brazil in case of pathogen introduction, we conducted a faunistic analysis of leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) associated to vineyards in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, with emphasis in the subfamily Cicadellinae (sharpshooters), which includes the main potential vectors of X. fastidiosa. Leafhopper samplings were carried out fortnightly during two years (9/2004-9/2006) in four Vitis vinifera vineyards in the municipalities of Bento Gonçalves and Farroupilha (RS). Thirtyfour leafhopper and six spittlebug species were collected, but most (98.4%) of the 3,893 specimens trapped were leafhoppers, distributed in the subfamilies Cicadellinae (60.2%), Gyponinae (34.1%), Deltocephalinae (3.8%) and Coelidinae (0.3%). The sharpshooter specimens were divided in the tribes Cicadellini (68.5%; 12 species) and Proconiini (31.5%; 11 species). Based on the faunistic indices, five species of Cicadellini, Bucephalogonia xanthophis (Berg), Dilobopterus dispar (Germar), Macugonalia cavifrons Stal, Sibovia sagata (Signoret) and Spinagonalia rubrovittata Cavichioli, and three of Proconiini, Molomea consolida (Schöder), Oncometopia facialis (Signoret) and Oncometopia fusca Melichar were prevalent in the vineyards. The high diversity of native sharpshooters in Rio Grande do Sul indicates the existence of a high risk of PD spread if the pathogen is introduced in grapevines.

Brocossomos são corpos ultramicroscópicos, reticulados, produzidos pelos tubos de Malpighi das cigarrinhas. São geralmente esféricos (brocossomos de tegumento) ou alongados (brocossomos de ovos). Neste estudo, as espécies de Proconiini foram identificadas de acordo com seus brocossomos de ovos. As características e uma chave para a identificação dos brocossomos também foram discutidas. Os espécimes foram coletados em nove pomares de Citrus sinensis ('Valencia'), com o uso da armadilha adesiva de cor amarela. Os pomares estão localizados em sete municípios do Rio Grande do Sul: Tenente Portela, Ijuí, Jaguari, Harmonia, Taquari, Montenegro e Pelotas. Os dados foram coletados de outubro de 1999 a dezembro de 2000 e de outubro de 2001 a março de 2002. Foram identificadas sete espécies capazes de produzir brocossomos de ovos: Acrogonia citrina Marucci & Cavichioli, Homalodisca ignorata Melichar, Molomea consolida Shröder, Molomea lineiceps Young, Molomea magna (Walker), Oncometopia facialis (Signoret), e Oncometopia fusca Melichar. Este estudo demonstra que a diversidade de brocossomos de ovos pode ser uma ferramenta útil para a identificação de espécies de Proconiini.

Brochosomes are ultramicroscopic reticulate bodies produced by the Malpighian tubules of leafhoppers. Brochosomes are usually either spherical (brochosomes-for-integument) or elongated (brochosomes-for-eggs). In this study, the Proconiini species were diagnosed according to their brochosomes-for-eggs. Brochosome-for-eggs traits and dichotomous key were also discussed. The specimens were collected in nine orchards of Citrus sinensis (Valencia orange), using yellow sticky traps. The orchards are located in seven counties in the state of Rio Grande do Sul: Tenente Portela, Ijuí, Jaguari, Harmonia, Taquari, Montenegro, and Pelotas. Data were collected from October 1999 to December 2000, and from October 2001 to March 2002. Seven species capable of producing brochosomes-for-eggs were identified: Acrogonia citrina Marucci & Cavichioli, Homalodisca ignorata Melichar, Molomea consolida Shröder, Molomea lineiceps Young, Molomea magna (Walker), Oncometopia facialis (Signoret), and Oncometopia fusca Melichar. This study shows that the diversity among brochosomes-for-eggs was a useful tool to identify the Proconiini species.