Relative contribution of rainfall and coconut hybrids to the abundance and composition of the Auchenorrhyncha community as potential vectors of phytoplasmas in the state of Sergipe, Brazil

Abstract

The quarantine disease Lethal Yellowing (LY) is currently the main threat to coconut cultivation in Brazil. LY is caused by phytoplasmas and is transmitted by Haplaxius crudus (Hemiptera: Cixiidae), although other planthoppers/leafhoppers could be involved. We assessed the Auchenorrhyncha community composition on various coconut hybrids, including association with parental and nonparental dwarf coconut accessions. The Auchenorrhyncha were trapped in 2016 between the dry and rainy seasons (March and April), in the rainy season (July and August) and in the dry season (November and December). Oecleus sergipensis (Hemiptera: Cixiidae) accounted for 73% of the individuals, with a predominance at the dry-to-rainy season transition. Curtara samera (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) was the best-represented species on the hybrids Brazilian Green Dwarf × Brazilian Tall – Praia do Forte, Brazilian Green Dwarf × Vanuatuan Tall and Malayan Yellow Dwarf × West African Tall. Oecleus sergipensis was the best-represented species on the hybrids Malayan Red Dwarf × Tagnanan Tall, Malayan Red Dwarf × Vanuatuan Tall and Malayan Yellow Dwarf × Brazilian Tall – Praia do Forte. Individuals of a species of Cenchreini and Omolicna nigripennis (Hemiptera: Derbidae) increase in the rainy season; Balclutha sp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and Cedusa sp. (Hemiptera: Derbidae) are prevalent in the transition period between the dry and rainy seasons. Knowledge about potential Auchenorrhyncha phytoplasma vectors on coconut hybrids could contribute to the development of strategies for use in breeding programmes for coconut LY prevention.