Cigarrinhas (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae): Análise da comunidade das espécies potencialmente transmissoras de Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al. em pomares de laranja (Citrus sinensis L.) no Amazonas

Abstract

Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC) or citrus yellowing, caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, has been reported in recent decades as one of the main diseases of citrus groves. The occurrence of the bacteria is limited to the xylem vessels, impeding the transport of water and nutrients, causing direct damage to the fruits, which become small and hard. The spread of the pathogen occurs naturally by leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellinae and Cercopoidae), which can transmit the bacteria by feeding on the content of the xylem vessels. In orchards locacted in state of Sao Paulo, 13 vector species have already been detected. The State of Amazonas, the third largest producer of citrus in the North region, lacks information about the current status of CVC and its possible vector species. In this sense, the objective of this work was to study the cicadeline community andidentify potential species vectors of CVC through faunistic and molecular analyzes. The survey was carried out in seven citrus groves belonging to the metropolitan region of Manaus-AM. To obtain the samples, collections were carried out with a sweeping net in the ground vegetation and in the canopy tree. During two seasons of the year a total of 2.248 individuals were captured, distributed in 20 species and two tribes, Cicadellini and Proconiini. Four predominant species were classified (Erythrogonia sexguttata, Hortensia similis, Plesiommata corniculata and Macugonalia moesta). The determination of the natural infectivity of the individuals was carried out through Real Time PCR (qPCR), and one morphospecie Cicadellini sp. 3, tested positivefor the presence of the bacterium X. fastidiosa. Therefore, the importance of control measures against the high incidence of certain species and the detection of a possible CVC vector.