Resistance and susceptibility among turfgrasses and potential weedy hosts to twolined spittlebug (Prosapia bicincta (Say)) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae)

Abstract

Potential resistance to the twolined spittlebug, Prosapia bicincta (Say), was evaluated among 56 turfgrass genotypes. All centipedegrasses demonstrated high levels of susceptibility, followed by bermudagrasses, seashore paspalums, and zoysiagrasses. Among seashore paspalums, nymphal survival to the adult stage was lowest and duration of development was longest on HI-1, �Sea Isle 2000�, 561-79, and �Mauna Kea�. Reduced spittlebug survival and increased developmental times were also observed on the bermudagrasses BERPC 91-15 and �Tifway�. Although zoysiagrasses supported spittlebug development and survival to the adult stage, developmental times were extended on the zoysiagrass cultivars �Emerald� and �El Toro�. Among taxa included in field trials, HI-1, �Mauna Kea�, �Sea Isle 2000� and AP-14 paspalums, �Tifway� bermudagrass, and �Emerald� zoysiagrass were most tolerant of twolined spittlebug feeding. Of eight grasses and eight broadleaf weeds tested among seven plant families, P. bicincta successfully developed on seven Gramineae, one Compositae, and one Euphorbiaceae.