Leptodelphax maculigera (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) Harbors the Corn Stunt Complex Pathogens

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Entomology
• Plant Pathology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• The African planthopper, Leptodelphax maculigera, has been recently identified in Brazilian maize fields.
• Its presence raises concerns about potential transmission of corn stunt disease pathogens.
• The corn stunt disease complex includes maize bushy stunt phytoplasma (MBSP), corn stunt spiroplasma (Spiroplasma kunkelii), maize rayado fino virus (MRFV), and maize striate mosaic virus (MSMV).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the abundance of L. maculigera in Santa Catarina, Brazil.
• To determine if L. maculigera carries MBSP, S. kunkelii, MRFV, and MSMV.

Main Methods:

• Field surveys were conducted in 12 maize production fields over 20 weeks.
• Yellow sticky traps were used to capture planthoppers, with weekly replacements.
• Molecular methods were employed to detect pathogens in captured L. maculigera specimens.

Main Results:

• A total of 130 L. maculigera specimens were captured, with varying abundance across locations and weeks.
• MBSP, MRFV, and MSMV were detected in L. maculigera.
• S. kunkelii was not detected in the analyzed planthopper samples.

Conclusions:

• The molecular detection of MBSP, MRFV, and MSMV in field-collected L. maculigera suggests the insect can acquire these pathogens from infected maize plants.
• Experimental studies are required to confirm L. maculigera's vectoring capability for these corn-stunting pathogens.