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

The beet leafhopper, Neoaliturus(=Circulifer) tenellus (Baker), is an Old World leafhopper and significant pest of many crops across the western United States. It is best associated with viruses in the genus Curtovirus, which are the causal agents of significant economic damage to vegetable crops across the western U.S. and Canada. Acquired by N. tenellus from common weed reservoirs, curtoviruses induce symptoms in crops including stunting, thickened, leaf curling, dark, cracked stems, yellowing, and little to no fruit production. The number and timing of generations of N. tenellus is poorly known. These insects are thought to move from desert hosts to cultivated hosts in the early spring. Davis (2010) recently found one distinct generation (and a likely partial 2nd) on weed hosts in New Mexico and indicated the potential for one or more generations to be completed on desert plants later in the year. The current research was conducted to determine how many (if any) generations the beet leafhopper completes on desert hosts in southern New Mexico. Three common desert plants species (primarily desert willow, Chilopsis linearis; fourwing salt-bush, Atriplex canescens; and sumac, Rhus sp.) were sampled weekly at two field sites from late May to December 2010 for adult and nymph beet leafhoppers using a beat bucket. Samples were transferred to the laboratory, frozen, sorted, and preserved in 80% EtOH. Developmental stage of nymphs and sex of adults was determined. These data were combined to the number of generations N. tenellus completes on desert hosts in southern New Mexico.