ABSTRACT
In the search for insects as biological control agents for the water primrose, the delphacid Pissonotusparaguayensis (Delphacidae) was found on Ludwigiagrandiflorasubsp.hexapetala (Onagraceae) in a wetland of Central East Argentina. The morphology of the unknown females (brachypterous and macropterous) and immature stages are described and illustrated. Adults and nymphs were collected in wetlands of Del Plata River Basin, from Buenos Aires to the northeastern part of Argentina. A rearing methodology was developed to perform biological studies. Both winged forms and structural features of the female genitalia are described for the first time at the genus level. Eggs and immature stages are described and keyed; fifth nymphal instars may be easily recognised by the yellowish colouration, blackish on dorsal of head, thorax and abdomen with conspicuous yellowish pits, ventrally only darkened on base of frons extended to lower level of eyes and dorsal surface of antennomeres I and II, and legs with distinctive black marks at femoro-tibial joint and apex. The geographical distribution is updated, expanding its range into Argentina, making Buenos Aires the southernmost limit of the genus in America. Biological information of the species is also reported here: life cycle, fecundity, oviposition behaviour, and host plant. Field observations showed that P.paraguayensis breeds, feeds, and causes damage to L.g.subsp.hexapetala. This delphacid presents a certain degree of specificity to the Ludwigia species in the Jussiaea section in host specificity tests. More studies are required to test this species as a potential biological control agent.
ABSTRACT
In this study, we surveyed the bacteriome-associated microbiota of the corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis by means of histological, ultrastructural, and molecular analyses. Amplification and sequencing of 16S rDNA genes revealed that the endosymbiont "Candidatus Sulcia muelleri" (Phylum Bacteroidetes) resides in bacteriomes of D. maidis. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the sequence was closely allied to others found in representatives of the subfamily Deltocephalinae. We failed to amplify other sequences as "Candidatus Nasuia deltocephalinicola," a co-primary symbiont frequently associated to deltocephaline leafhoppers. In addition, a metagenetic analysis carried out in order to investigate the presence of other bacteriome-associated bacteria of D. maidis showed that the sequence of Sulcia accounted for 98.56 % of all the sequences. Histological and ultrastructural observations showed that microorganisms harbored in bacteriomes (central syncytium and cytoplasm of uninucleate bacteriocytes) look like others Sulcia described in hemipteran species and they were transovarially transmitted from mother to offspring which is typical of obligate endosymbionts. The only presence of Sulcia in the bacteriomes of D. maidis was discussed.
Subject(s)
Bacteroidetes , Hemiptera/microbiology , Microbiota/genetics , Symbiosis/genetics , Animals , Bacteroidetes/classification , Bacteroidetes/genetics , Bacteroidetes/isolation & purification , Base Sequence , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , Female , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics , Sequence Analysis, DNAABSTRACT
Edwardsiana froggatti (Baker, 1925) es una especie ampliamente distribuida que causa severos perjuicios en zonas frutícolas. En la presente contribución, sobre la base de materiales provenientes de las principales zonas productoras de manzanos de la Argentina, se redescriben los caracteres morfológicos y se consideran nuevos elementos diagnósticos de ambos sexos. Se incluye información complementaria acerca de antecedentes taxonómicos, distribución geográfica, datos biológicos y enemigos naturales.
Edwardsiana froggatti (Baker, 1925) is a widely distributed species that causes severe damage in fruit growing areas. In this contribution, based on materials from the major apple-producing areas of Argentina, its morphological characteristics are re-described and new diagnostic elements of both sexes are considered. Additional information on taxonomic history, geographic distribution, biological data and natural enemies is also included.
Edwardsiana froggatti (Baker, 1925) é uma espécie amplamente distribuída, que causam graves prejuízos em fruticultura áreas. Nesta contribuição, com base em materiais das principais zonas de produção da maçã na Argentina, foi re-descritas os caracteres morfológicos e inclui elementos novos diagnósticos de ambos os sexos. Acrescenta também obter informações adicionais sobre a história taxonômica, distribuição geográfica, dados biológicos e inimigos naturais.
