Influence of Life History of Grasses and Maize Chlorotic Dwarf Virus on the Biotic Potential of the Leafhopper Graminella nigrifrons (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)

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Abstract
Suitability of annual and perennial species of Sorghum, Lolium, and Panicum and of healthy or maize chlorotic dwarf virus (MCDV)-infected maize (Zea mays L.) was determined for oviposition and development of Graminella nigrifrons (Forbes). Intra- and intergeneric comparisons show that host life history and genus had a significant effect on the number of adult leafhoppers produced, their weight, and their developmental time from egg to adult, as did the interaction of these effects. More and heavier adults were produced on annual Sorghum and Panicum than on their perennial counterparts. Numbers and weights of leafhoppers produced on annual and perennial Lolium were not significantly different. Developmental time from egg to adult was shorter on annual than on perennial Panicum but was not different within Sorghum and Lolium. Numbers of adults and their weights on Sorghum species were greater than on Lolium species, which was greater than on Panicum species. Evidence that annual grasses may be superior to perennials as hosts within a genus for this generalist leafhopper is consistent with recent studies of natural grasslands that show higher leafhopper densities on annuals during the logarithmic phase of plant growth than at any time on perennials. Although healthy maize was an excellent host for G. nigrifrons, MCDV infection improved its suitability. This agrees with previous field (but not laboratory) studies that show young maize to be a suitable host for this leafhopper.

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