Evidence for Co-evolution of Leafhoppers in the Genus Dalbulus (Cicadellidae: Homoptera) with Maize and Its Ancestors1

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Abstract
The corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis (Delong & Wolcott) and the “Mexican corn leafhopper”, D. elimatus (Ball) were collected from the perennials Zea diploperennis Iltis, Doebley & Guzmán, Z. perennis (Hitchc.) and Tripsacum lanceolatum Rupr. ex Fourn. in Jalisco, Mexico. These maize relatives represent new host records for these leafhoppers as well as potential overwintering sites. A new species, Dalbulus tripsacoides DeLong and Nault n. sp., was collected from Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L. on the southwestern side of the Sierra de Autlán. Dalbulus tripsacoides is morphologically the most primitive member of the genus, supporting our hypothesis that leafhoppers of the genus Dalbulus coevolved with maize from its Tripsacum ancestors. We also speculate that the Dalbulus species and the corn stunt spiroplasma, maize bushy stunt mycoplasma and maize rayado fino virus, pathogens vectored by these leafhoppers, have influenced the speciation and distribution of maize and its predecessors.
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