Life history traits and a method for continuous mass rearing of the planthopper Pentastiridius leporinus, a vector of the causal agent of syndrome "basses richesses" in sugar beet
Autor/in:Pfitzer, R., M. Varrelmann, K. Schrameyer, M. Rostás
The planthopper Pentastiridius leporinus (Hemiptera: Cixiidae) is the main vector of the γ-3 proteobacterium ‘Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus’ which causes the syndrome ‘basses richesses’ (SBR) in sugar beet. SBR is a new and fast-spreading disease in Central Europe that leads to high yield losses. To date, the development of management strategies has been hampered by insufficient knowledge about general life history traits of the planthopper and, most importantly, the year-round availability of insects reared under controlled conditions. Rearing of P. leporinus has been considered challenging and to date no protocol exists.