Biological control de Dalbulus maidis in Brazil: An overview of the parasitoids

Abstract

The corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis, is the most widespread species because of its intimate association with cultivated maize. This species has been collected and recorded from the United States to South America. The corn leahopper is considered one of the most serious maize pests in Latin America because it transmits three maize-stunting pathogens, the Corn stunt spiroplasma (CSS), Maize bushy stunt phytoplasma (MBSP), and Maize rayado fino virus (MRFV). D. maidis was the only species of the genus Dalbulus found in a total of 4,661 individuals sampled from 27 Brazilian localities. In Brazil, crop losses caused by this vector have been greater in the central-southern region, especially in late-summer (January-April) plantings or during second cultivation season. Natural enemies of D. maidis have been intensively investigated in other countries, such as Argentina and Mexico, especially in relation to parasitoids. The parasitoids are antagonists that can be divided into 2 guilds: those attacking eggs, and those affecting nymphs and adults. The main egg parasitoids of D. maidis are Mymaridae and Trichogrammatidae, while those that attack are species of Dryinidae, Pipunculidade and Strepsisptera. In northeastern Brazil, research on monitor the incidence of D. maidis, mollicutes and viruses, and their parasitoids has recently started, and a number of parasitoids of this leafhopper were discovered. This chapter provides a brief synopsis of their associations with the corn leafhopper.