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.

ABSTRACT This study presents registers of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) occurrence to assess its spatial and temporal distribution in Brazil. We used data from collections, especially from the Southern Region, systematic collections in Rio Grande do Sul, occasional collections of caterpillars and adults in different regions of Brazil, as well as literature registers. We conclude that the introduction of H. armigera in Brazil probably occurred before October 2008. We also register that in August 2012 H. armigera was already present from the extreme southern part (Rio Grande do Sul) to the extreme northern part (Amapá) of Brazil.

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.

A população de Hemiptera Auchenorrhyncha foi estudada em pomares de laranja doce (Citrus sinensis), cafezais (Coffea arabica) e floresta estacional semidecidual com fisionomia arbustiva, em Bebedouro (SP), com o objetivo de avaliar a influencia do ecossistema natural na composição de espécies do agroecossistemas. O monitoramento foi feito com cartões adesivos amarelos, os quais foram trocados a cada 15 dias, efetuando-se a contagem e identificação dos Auchenorrhyncha coletados. Capturou-se o total de sete famílias, 11 subfamílias e 98 espécies, sendo Cicadellidae o grupo mais abundante. A floresta nativa apresentou a maior riqueza, diversidade e equitabilidade de espécies de Auchenorrhyncha, demonstrando ser mais estável que os demais habitats. Os altos valores de similaridades obtidos entre os agroecossistemas e a floresta demonstram que grande parte das espécies de cigarrinhas que está ocorrendo nos habitats agrícolas também está ocorrendo na floresta, indicando que esta pode estar funcionando como reservatório de espécies. A abundância de grupos taxonômicos de Auchenorrhyncha coletados variou nos habitats avaliados, sendo Proconiini o mais abundante no cafezal próximo à floresta, Athysanini, Scaphytopiini, Neocoelidiinae e Coelidiinae no pomar de laranja e cafezal distante da floresta; Cicadellinae e Agalliinae não se relacionaram a nenhum dos habitats. A presença de insetos vetores e possíveis vetores de doenças de plantas cultivadas nos habitats avaliados indicam a necessidade da implantação do manejo de pragas nessa área.

The population of Hemiptera Auchenorrhyncha was studied in sweet citrus groves (Citrus sinensis), coffee plantations (Coffea arabica) and a semi-deciduous seasonal forest with shrub physiognomy in Bebedouro, SP, to evaluate the influence of the natural ecosystem on the species composition of the agroecosystems. Monitoring was carried out by using yellow stick cards, which were replaced every 15 days and all Auchenorrhyncha collected were counted and identified. Seven families, 11 subfamilies and 98 species were collected, with Cicadellidae being the most abundant. The native forest presented larger wealth, diversity and equitability of Auchenorrhyncha species, demonstrating to be more stable than the other habitats. The high values of similarities obtained between the agroecosystems and the forest demonstrated that great part of Auchenorrhyncha species occurring in the agricultural habitats was also occurring at the forest, indicating that the last may serve as reservoir of species. The abundance of the taxonomic groups of Auchenorrhyncha collected varied with the evaluated habitats, with Proconiini being the most abundant in the coffee plantation next to the forest, Athysanini, Scaphytopiini, Neocoelidiinae and Coelidiinae in the orange orchard and coffee plantation distant from the forest; Cicadellinae and Agalliinae were not related to any of the habitats. The presence of vector insects and possible vectors of plant diseases in the appraised habitats indicate the need of the implementation of strategies for landscape management.

O presente estudo teve por objetivo conhecer a flutuação populacional e a constância de cicadelíneos presentes na vegetação herbácea de um pomar de laranja doce (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck), variedade Valência, em Montenegro, RS. O levantamento foi realizado com a metodologia da rede-de-varredura, tendo início em fevereiro de 2001 e finalizando-se em janeiro de 2002. Mensalmente foram coletadas dez amostras, sendo cada uma destas composta por 50 golpes de rede em movimento de avanço sobre a vegetação herbácea e cultura intercalar nas entrelinhas do pomar (n = 500 golpes/ocasião de coleta). No total foram coletados 928 cicadelíneos, pertencentes a nove espécies: Bucephalogonia xanthophis (Berg, 1879), Diedrocephala variegata (Fabricius, 1775), Hortensia similis (Walker, 1851), Macugonalia leucomelas (Walker, 1851), Parathona gratiosa (Blanchard, 1840), Plesiommata corniculata Young, 1977, Sibovia sagata (Signoret, 1854), Sonesimia grossa (Signoret, 1854) e Tapajosa rubromarginata (Signoret, 1855). O período de maior abundância da comunidade de cicadelíneos foi durante a primavera e o verão. Hortensia similis e M. leucomelas foram as únicas espécies consideradas constantes durante o levantamento. A menor abundância dos cicadelíneos em abril e dezembro provavelmente deve-se a efeitos causados por fatores abióticos (pluviosidade) e aqueles relativos à estrutura da vegetação (altura das plantas) sobre a comunidade.

This paper aimed to study leafhopper's populational dynamics and constancy on herbaceous vegetation of a sweet orange orchard (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck, Valencia variety) in southern Brazil. The survey was performed with sweeping net method, from February/2001 to January/2002. Monthly, 10 samples of 50 sweeps were taken in the herbaceous vegetation between orchard's lines (n = 500 sweeps/sampling). A total of 928 individuals were collected, belonging to nine species: Bucephalogonia xanthophis (Berg, 1879), Diedrocephala variegata (Fabricius, 1775), Hortensia similis (Walker, 1851), Macugonalia leucomelas (Walker, 1851), Parathona gratiosa (Blanchard, 1840), Plesiommata corniculata Young, 1977, Sibovia sagata (Signoret, 1854), Sonesimia grossa (Signoret, 1854), and Tapajosa rubromarginata (Signoret, 1855). The highest abundance was registered in summer and spring. Hortensia similis and M. leucomelas were the only species considered constant during the survey. Leafhopper abundance was lower in the April and December, probably due to abiotic factors (rainfall) and vegetation structure (plants height) effects.

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.