The Leafhopper Vectors of Phytopathogenic Viruses (Homoptera, Cicadellidae) Taxonomy, Biology, and Virus Transmission

Abstract

During a span of 70 years significant contributions were made in the field of plant pathogenic viruses and transmission of vi ruses by cicadellid vectors.Unfortunately progress in taxonomic research did not keep pace with virus-vector research and as a consequence nearly two-thirds of the known vector species re quired one or more taxonomic changes.Most of the changes were made not as a result of initial vector discoveries but from subse quent research in leafhopper taxonomy.General acceptance and usage of the change in a new name for a vector suecies were slow.Often research workers were unaware of name changes, and sometimes the old name was perpetuated from author to author and year to year.Names of a few species that were passe 20 years ago were still in use at the time of this investigation.Among 8 subfamilies, 52 genera, and 114 species treated, 1 genus and 3 species were suppressed, 1 subgenus was given a new generic status, 1 genus and 1 species were reinstated, 2 ne,,, com binations were proposed, 2 lectotype designations were made, and 5 vector species previously misdetermined were corrected.The vectorial and taxonomic status of four species remained uncer tain.Research workers have recognized the need to clarify the tax onomic and vectorial status of all leafhopper species incriminated in the transmission of plant viruses.In fulfillment of this need, I have restudied all known authentic vector species from the tax onomic viewpoint and reviewed the literatUre treating all cases of virus transmission by cicadellid vectors to ascertain the authentic ity of the species repoxted as vectors.In scope, this bulletin presents the latest taxonomic status of all authentic vector species in light of the most recent acceptable tax onomic concepts.Keys to the vector subfamilies, vector genera, and vector species are proposed.Each species has been rede scribed and illustrated on the basis (If the genitalia and general habitus of the adults.A complete ~sllme of distribution, biology, and virus transmission for each species is also presented.Common names have been suggested for all species except those for which common names have already been officially accepted.