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First Regular Observations on Leafhoppers, Cicadulina spp., Vectors of Maize Streak Virus (MSV) In Southeastern Nigeria

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Abstract

Regular field surveys were carried out in 2 week intervals in 1986 and 1987 to determine population density, species composition, migration activity of Cicadulina leafhoppers and their infectivity with maize streak virus (MSV) in different ecological locations of southeastern Nigeria: mangrove swamp forest (IITA and RIART station at Onne), deltaic swamp forest (RSUST, Port Harcourt), seasonal swamp forest (Iriebe) and high forest zone (NCRI, Amakama near Umuahia).

Population density was always low during dry season, significantly lower in the rain forest zone and higher in the swamp forest, rapidly rising in the second rainy season in all ecological zones and reaching its maximum before the rains finally stopped. Sharp increase in the population density in Nov. and Dec. may indicate mass migration activity of Cicadulina leafhoppers from already dry areas of adjacent Guinea savanna at that period.

Six species of Cicadulina were collected from most of sampled areas. C. ghaurii was the predominant species in 1986 and 1987, averaging 55.9% for all locations and periods. Its portion was higher in the mangrove swamp forest (Onne) than in the high forest zone (Amakama). The predominance of other species declined in the order: C. triangula (18.2%), C. mbila (17.2%), C. arachidis (5.9%), C. similis (2.8%) and C. hartmansi (0.1%). In absolute values, the portion of individuals out of the total number of leafhoppers collected was for C. triangula 53.7%, C. ghaurii 25.5%, C. mbila 17.3%, C. arachidis 2.3%, C. similis 1.1% and C. hartmansi 0.1%. A high population of C. triangula occurred only in the relatively short period in Nov.–Dee., especially in Iriebe and was correlated with the rapid increase of Cicadulina densities in all sampled areas; a high migration activity of C. triangula and C. mbila was confirmed.

Incidence of MSV in the surveyed farmers’ field varied between 0–22% in the first rainy season (1987) and 12–25% in the second rainy season (1986). The portion of Cicadulina adults already infected with MSV under field conditions and capable of transmitting MSV to the susceptible maize seedlings varied from 3.3 to 23.3%, with higher values for leafhoppers collected at the end of the second rainy season.

Résumé

En 1986 et 1987, des enquêtes ont été régulièrement réalisées en milieu réel, à deux semaines d’intervalle, afin de déterminer la densité des populations de cicadelles Cicadulina, leur composition spécifique, leurs mouvements migratoires ainsi que contagiosité du virus de la striure du maïs dont elles sont vectrices dans plusieurs écologies forestières du sud-est du Nigéria: les marais de mangrove (stations de l’IIT A et du RIART à Onne), les marais de delta (RSUST, Port Harcourt), les marais saisonniers (Iriebe) et la zone de forêt dense (NCRI d’Amakama, prés de Umuahia).

La densité des colonies est toujours peu élevée en saison sèche; elle est particuliérement faible dans la forêt humid, et plus importante dans les marais. Elle croît rapidement durant la seconde saison des pluies dans toutes les écologies pour atteindre son maximum avant la fin des pluies. La forte augmentation de densité des mois de novembre et de décembre semble être due à une migration massive des cicadelles Cicadulina de la zone de savane guinéenne limitrophe qui, à cette époque, est déjà sèche.

Six espèces de Cicadulina ont été prélevées dans la plupart des écologies étudiées. C. ghaurii était l’espèce dominante en 1986 et 1987 (moyenne de 55,9% dans toutes les écologies, quelle que soit la période). Ce pourcentage était plus élevé dans les marais de mangrove (Onne) que dans la zone de forêt dense (Amakama). Les autres espèces rencontrées étaient, par ordre décroissant d’importance: C. triangula (18,2%), C. mbila (17,2%), C. arachidis (5,9%), C. similis (2,8%) et C. hartmansi (0,1%).

En valeurs absolues, l’espèce prédominante chez toutes les cicadelles prélevées était C. triangula (53,7%); ensuite C. ghaurii (25,5%), C. mbila (17,3%), C. arachidis (2,3%), C. similis (1,1%) et C. hartmansi (0,1%). Les colonies de C. triangula n’étaient importantes que durant une période relativement courte, entre novembre et décembre, surtout à Iriebe. Ce phénomène s’explique par l’accroissement rapide des densités de Cicadulina dans toutes les zones écologiques. Les mouvements migratoires particulièrement denses de C. triangula et de C. mbila ont été démontrés.

Dans les champs étudiés, l’incidence de la striure oscillait entre 0 et 22% au cours de la première saison des pluies (1987) et entre 12 et 25% au cours de la seconde (1986). Entre 3,3 et 23,3% des individus adultes de Cicadulina étaient infectés par la striure en conditions réelles et capables de transmettre cette maladie à des plantules de maïs sensibles. Les pourcentages les plus élevés ont été enregistrés chez des cicadelles capturées à la fin de la seconde saison des pluies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Oyo Road, PMB 5320, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Z. T. Dabrowski

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, PMB 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

    F. Nwilene & R. Kumar

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  1. Z. T. Dabrowski
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  2. F. Nwilene
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  3. R. Kumar
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Present address: The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), P. O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya.

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Dabrowski, Z.T., Nwilene, F. & Kumar, R. First Regular Observations on Leafhoppers, Cicadulina spp., Vectors of Maize Streak Virus (MSV) In Southeastern Nigeria. Int J Trop Insect Sci 12, 249–261 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400020762

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