Feeding and Mobility of the Potato Leafhopper Impaired by Glandular Trichomes of Solanum berthaultii and S. polyadenium12

Abstract

Glandular trichomes on foliage of 2 wild potato species, Solanum berthaultii Hawkes, and S. polyadenium Greenm., defend against infestation of Empoasca fabae (Harris) by encasing the mouthparts and tarsi with a viscous exudate that rapidly darkens and hardens. Feeding and mobility are impaired, leading to early death and reduced field populations.