Rapid spread of Balclutha rubrostriata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Texas and Southwestern Louisiana, USA with notes on its associated host plants

Abstract

The red streaked leafhopper, Balclutha rubrostriata (Melichar) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is an invasive insect from southeastern Asia that is known to be a vector of the phytoplasma that causes Sugarcane White Leaf Disease (SCWL). Sugarcane is a vital crop for the United States and is being considered as a biofuel source. The purpose of this survey was to determine whether B. rubrostriata has established populations in Texas and Louisiana, USA; and, if established, to estimate its range expansion. The gulf coast region of Texas, east Texas, and 2 southwestern parishes of Louisiana were surveyed for the red streaked leafhopper. Samples of the leafhopper were collected in all Gulf Coast regions and the majority of east Texas counties. However, it was only collected in one Louisiana parish. The leafhopper appears to be closely associated with an invasive grass, King Ranch Bluestem, Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.), throughout much of its present range in the United States, and it is now common along much of the Texas Gulf Coast and is moving into Louisiana.