Abstract:
Serious damage caused by cicadellid insects have been observed for a few years in peach orchards in Tunisia. In this study the abundance of cicadellid in peach ecosystem is explored. Population density of cicadas has been measured in orchard, on peach trees, edge trees and weeds. Two trapping techniques were used: sweep net trapping and sticky yellow traps. The quantification of cicadas population on weed species show that Graminacea are most plants containing cicadas, specially Echinichloa colona (about 5 cicadas m-2). Cicadas captured on sticky yellow traps on edge shows that Acacia ebernua is the most visited species by cicadas. Captured cicadas species in sticky yellow traps deposited in peach canopy show that peach trees are visited essentially by two cicadellidae species: Asymmestrasca decedens and Zygina flammigera. Dynamics of these two leafhopper species was studied during 2 years. The adults activity begin from February to October with a maximum in June and July. This study constitutes a preliminary observation on peach leafhopper biology in Tunisia and this is a background for future pest management programs.
Ikbal Chaieb and Sonia Bouhachem-Boukhris, 2012. Some Observation on Leafhoppers in Peach Orchards in Northern Tunisia. Journal of Entomology, 9: 123-129.
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