Biology of Mahanarva spectabilis Distant (1909) and resistance of different genotypes of grass pastures

The Brazilian Savannah or Cerrados extends for over 207 millon ha in the central region of Brazil. Fifty million ha are cultivated pastures with 42% of the Brazilian cattle population and 50% of the annual beef production. Recent studies have indicated the occurrence of the spittlebug Mahanarva spectabilis in pastures in Cerrado area cultivated with Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandú. Studies on the Mahanarva pastures of Brachiaria in Brazil lack information related to the economic impact, aspects of its bioecology, and resistance of genotypes of grass. This study was done with objectives to obtain the following information; survival of the eggs in different temperatures; fecundity and longevity of the adults; and resistance of grass genotypes to M. spectabilis. The experiment was conducted at the Brazilian Agricultural Corporation – Embrapa Cerrados.