DISTRIBUCIÓN Y HÁBITATS DE DALBULUS SPP. (HOMOPTERA: CICADELLIDAE) DURANTE LA ESTACIÓN SECA EN MÉXICO

Abstract

Little is known about overwintering sites of Dalbulus elimatus, D. gelbus, D. guevarai and D. longulus, which are leafhopper vectors of maize pathogens. This study was conducted in Mexico, during two dry seasons (1999-2000 and 2000-2001). The objectives were to know if the four species of leafhoppers overwinter on irrigated maize, to know their geographical and altitudinal distribution, and to determine the abundance of D. elimatus on three different habitats. The four species were found on maize cultivated with irrigation at less than 2,050 m. Dalbulus elimatus was collected between 771 m and 2,050 m high in the states of Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacán, Oaxaca, Puebla and Zacatecas. Dalbulus gelbus was gathered between 400 m and 2,013 m high in the states of Guanajuato, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacán, Morelos, Oaxaca, Puebla and Zacatecas. Dalbulus guevarai was found between 400 m and 2,013 m high in the states of Guerrero, Michoacán and Morelos. Finally, D. longulus was collected between 5 m and 90 m high in the states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, Tabasco and Veracruz. The previous geographical and altitudinal distribution are similar to those reported for the four species during the wet season in Mexico. During the dry season D. elimatus not only was found on maize, but also on green grass species.