Inventory of refuge plants of Recilia mica Kramer (Homoptera, Cicadellidae), blast disease vector in oil palm nursery (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

Abstract

Blast is the most important disease in nursery of palm tree in West Africa. The mycoplasm responsible of this disease is transmitted by the vector Recilia mica KRAMER (Homoptera, Cicadellidae). The aim of this study was to determine R. mica KRAMER plants reservoirs. To achieve this objective, an inventory of the flora frequented by this insect was carried out around two selected plots including a palm tree nursery and a plantation. In total, 14 plants were identified around the nursery and 15 plants around the plantation. Some plants have been registered in both environments. Plants considered refuges for R. mica in this study were Digitaria horizontalis, Pueraria phaseoloides, Panicum maximum, Oldemlandia herbacea, Ageratum conyzoides, Ipomea eriocarpa, Eleusine indica. Furthermore, this study showed that the Recilia mica frequents more plants of the Poaceae family compared to other plant families. This study should be continued to study the reproductive biology of R. mica.