Abstract:

In order to preventing and controlling the jujube witches’broom (JWB), the species identification and population dynamics of potential insect vectors transmitting JWB phytoplasma were performed and analyzed in jujube production area of Guanzhong area, Shaanxi province. The yellow sticky traps were utilized to survey and identify the insect vectors in the jujube orchards in Dali County, from April to October 2022. The rate of JWB phytoplasma carriage by potential vectors was analyzed based on 16SrDNA gene. Eleven species of potential vectors were identified, including Hishimonus lamellatus Cai et Kuoh, Hishimonus sellatus Uhler, Psammotettix striatus Linnaeus, Phlogotettix Cyclops Mulsant et Rey, Chanohirata theae Matsumura, Tautoneura polymitusa Oh & Jung, Zygina discolor Horváth, Empoascas pp., Tricentrus brunneus Funkhouser, Laodelphax striatellus Fallén and Apolygus lucorum Meyer-Dür. Population dynamics of different insects showed that T. polymitusa, H. lamellatus and H. sellatus were the dominant species in jujube orchards, with relative abundances of 58.38%, 15.68% and 10.32%, respectively. The number of leafhopper adults showed a trend of increasing and then decreasing. There were four population peaks for T. polymitusa, and two peaks for H. lamellatus and H. sellatus. The results of PCR detection displayed that the carrier rate of JWB phytoplasma was 13.33%, 12.67% and 10.00% in samples of H. lamellatus, H. sellatus and L. striatellus, respectively. No JWB phytoplasma was detected in other insect samples. The JWB phytoplasma was detected for the first time in L. striatellus, indicating that L. striatellus may be a potential vector insect for JWB. Accordingly, the monitoring and control of vector insects are conducive to the management of JWB. The study aims to provide reference for the control of vector insects to block the transmission chain of JWB.

Key words: jujube witches’broom, leafhopper, phytoplasma, vector insects, population dynamics, Guanzhong area of Shaanxi province