EFFECTS OF ANT ATTENDANCE ON REPRODUCTION AND SURVIVAL OFEURMELOIDES PUNCTATA(SIGNORET) ANDEURYMELA DISTINCTASIGNORET (HEMIPTERA: EURYMELIDAE) ON EUCALYPTS

Abstract

An association between ants and two eurymelid leafhoppers, Eurymeloides punctata and Eurymela distincta, was studied from December 1986 to June 1988 in a plantation of Eucalyptus viminalis in southeastern N.S.W. All populations of E. punctata and E. distincta were attended by ants of an Iridomyrmex species. Successful oviposition and survival of resulting eggs and nymphs, especially early instars, of both eurymelid species were reduced if ants were excluded. In the first field season (Dec. 1986‐July 1987) only two out of six second‐generation populations of E. punctata persisted after exclusion of ants, and in the second field season (Nov. 1987‐June 1988) only one out of six first‐generation populations persisted. Fewer data were available for E. distincta, but a similar trend was apparent. Some trees also supported large populations of scale insects (Eriococcus spp.) and on these trees ants tended scale insects rather than eurymelids. Copyright © 1993, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved