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Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 8/30/2000 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Many plant diseases, such as Pierce's Disease of grapes, are spread principally by leafhoppers, causing hundreds of millions of dollars of crop loss annually worldwide. Limotettix (Scleroracus) is a vector of the false blossum virus of cranberry in the Eastern United States, and feeds on other ornamental and crop plants. In order to identify these pests, it is vital that there be a one-to-one correspondence of names and species, and identification aids. However, there is no single source listing all species of Limotettix (Scleroracus) and species are not readily identifiable. This paper provides fully illustrated descriptions of all species and a key to identify them. It will be important for governmental (including APHIS), agricultural, and research workers in the study of virus transmission and systematics. Technical Abstract: Descriptions, illustrations, distributions, host plant records, and an identification key are provided for the 32 Nearctic species of the subgenus Limotettix (Scleroracus), tribe Athysanini, which includes at least two species (one Nearctic) known to vector phytopathogens. Two new synonymies are proposed: Frigartus Oman to synonymy under Limotettix (Scleroracus); and Ophiola uhleri speculatus Ball to synonymy under L. (S.) uhleri Ball. One new combination is proposed, L. (S.) frigidus (Ball) (from Frigartus). A lectotype is designated for Athysanus frigidus Ball. |
