ELYMANA SULPHURELLA (ZETTERSTEDT): BIOLOGY, TAXONOMY, AND RELATIVES IN NORTH AMERICA (RHYNCHOTA: HOMOPTERA: CICADELLIDAE)
AbstractElymana sulphurella (Zetterstedt) is confirmed as an introduced European species, and is distinguished from its relatives in the New World, including 2 new species E. circius (British Columbia to Saskatchewan) and E. pacifica Hamilton (British Columbia). Elymana acrita DeLong 1936 is synonymized with E. acuma DeLong 1936, and E. caduca DeLong 1936 is synonymized with E. inornata (Van Duzee 1892). A key to the New World species is presented. A method of rearing E. sulphurella in a controlled environment is described. Of 11 plant species tested as food hosts, Agrostis gigantea Roth., Elymus glaucus Buckl., Festuca arundinacea Schreb., F. elatior L., F. rubra L., and Phleum pratense L. were suitable for nymphs and adults, Lolium perenne L. for nymphs, and Alopecurus pratensis L., Bromus inermis Leyss., and Dactylis glomerata L. for adults. Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. and Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. were unsuitable for both stages. Ten of 11 plant species tested as oviposition hosts yielded nymphs but the numbers varied widely. Leaf blades were preferred over sheaths as oviposition sites and most eggs were laid in the lower two-thirds of the leaf. Eggs appeared to be in diapause when laid and required several months to hatch if held at room temperature. Cold treatment of such eggs decreased the minimum hatching time and reduced the period over which hatching occurred. The mean developmental period of females was 24.9 days and males 23.5 days. The mean longevity of mated females (83.2 days) was significantly (P = 0.05) longer than that of males (62.1 days).