Seasonal development of the beet leafhopper, Neoaliturus tenellus (Baker) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), in southern New Mexico

The beet leafhopper, Neoaliturus (=Circulifer) tenellus (Baker), is an Old World leafhopper that has been a significant pest of vegetable crops in the western United States since the late 1800s (Baker 1896) (Munyaneza 2007). A vector of multiple plant pathogens, including Beet Curly Top Virus (BCTV), N. tenellus has little locally relevant and current information available regarding its biology in southern New Mexico. Seasonal life history of N. tenellus on weeds was studied in cultivated areas in 2008-2009 in southern New Mexico. This research shows that at least one generation, and possibly a second, was completed on weed hosts during the 2008 season and eggs and immature were collected from both London rocket, Sisymbrium irio, and kochia, Kochia scoparia, weed species, indicating that both species are viable for development of N. tenellus. Data from leafhopper dissections regarding egg development in N. tenellus are presented in order to supplement collection data on the seasonal development of this insect.