Spiroplasma kunkelii-infected maize impairs life-history traits and population performance of the corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis

Abstract

The corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis, a major vector of corn stunt disease, threatens corn production throughout the Americas. However, the effects of Spiroplasma kunkelii-infected corn plants on D. maidis life-history traits remain poorly understood. Here, we assessed how maternal infection status of the progeny and feeding on symptomatic maize plants influences key biological parameters of D. maidis, including developmental time, survival, sex ratio, adult longevity, and fecundity. Maternal infection status did not affect egg size or duration at the egg stage. Nymphs reared on diseased plants showed higher mortality and a significantly longer development time to adulthood, regardless of maternal status. Offspring sex ratio was unaffected by either maternal infection or host plant condition. Adults emerging from diseased plants exhibited reduced survival and longevity, and females produced approximately three times fewer eggs than those reared on healthy plants. Overall, maize plants infected with S. kunkelii negatively impacted multiple fitness-related traits of D. maidis, suggesting that pathogen-induced changes in host plant quality may substantially reduce vector population performance. These findings highlight the ecological consequences of corn stunt disease and provide new insights into how plant-mediated pathogen effects can shape vector population dynamics.