Scientific Papers Series B Horticulture

Scientific Papers. Series B, Horticulture. Vol. LVII, 2013Print ISSN 2285-5653, CD-ROM ISSN 2285-5661, Online ISSN 2286-1580, ISSN-L 2285-5653BIODIVERSITY OF AUCHENORRHYNCHA INSECTS IN A PEARORCHARD FROM SOUTH-EAST OF ROMANIAIuliu CEAN 1 , Mirela CEAN 21 University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest,59 Mrti Blvd., 011464, Bucharest, Romania2 Central Phytosanitary Laboratory, 11 Blvd. Voluntari, Ilfov, 077190, Bucharest, RomaniaAbstractCorresponding author email: iuliucean@yahoo.comThe aim of the study was detection and identification of existing planthopper, leafhopper and cixiid fauna in the pearorchard of University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest. Studied biological material consistof adult stage has been obtained from yellow and white sticky traps which were placed in host plant canopy. Theidentification of the collected material has been carried in the Entomology Laboratory of Central PhytosanitaryLaboratory. Based on morphological characters were identified following species: Metcalfa pruinosa (Say, 1830)(Flatidae), Reptalus panzeri (Low, 1883) (Cixiidae), Fieberiella florii (Stal1864), Psammotettix notatus (Melichar1896), Zyginidia pullula (Boheman 1845), Neoaliturus fenestratus Herrich-Schäfer 1834 (Cicadellidae). Photos withmale genitalia details are provided.Key words: Flatidae, Cixiidae, Cicadellidae, morphological identification.INTRODUCTIONPlanthopper, leafhopper and other relatedspecies are pests of cultivated plants and can bealso vectors of different plant diseases.The aim of the study was focused on thebiodiversity of Auchenorrhynchaspecies (planthopper and leafhopper)assemblages of pear orchard in 2012 to identifypossible vectors of specific disease on host.MATERIALS AND METHODSSurvey was carried in a modern eight year oldpear orchard planted with the cultivars AbbéFétel, Red Williams, Conference, Beurre Bosc,Alexander Lucas, Clapp’s Favorite. Plantingdistance was 2 m within the row and 4 mbetween the rows. One sampling method wasapplied using sticky traps placed in tree’scanopy using one trap/15-20 tree. The stickytraps (yellow and white), sticky on one sidewere 25X20 cm size. Traps were hanged intothe middle part of the canopy during thevegetation period. Regular checks andreplacements of the traps were done forfaunistical survey.Accurate species identification requiresexamination of the structures of the male173genitalia. Identification of the males to speciesrequires removing the abdomen then placing ina 10% KOH solution for 12-24 h at roomtemperature. To examine genitalia remove theabdomen from KOH place it in a Petri dishfilled with water for few minutes, then place itin a drop of glycerin to study. For microscopicobservation a drop of glycerin was put on aslide on which dissection of the aedeagus wasperformed.Identification were made to the genus andspecies level according to (Ribauld 1952),(Delia Giustina 1989), (Holzinger, 2003), (LeQuesne 1960).RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONSAs a result of our investigation altogether 265individuals have been found in pear orchardbelonging to 3 Auchenorryncha families,namely Flatidae, Cixiidae and Cicadellidae(figure 1).During the sampling period extending fromMay to October presence of 6 species wasestablished. Metcalfa pruinosa (Say, 1830)from Flatidae family, Reptalus panzeri (Low,1883) from Cixiidae family, Fieberiella florii(Stal 1864) , Psammotettix notatus (Melichar1896), Zyginidia pullula (Boheman 1845),