Characterization of the assemblages of Cicadomorpha (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) in silvopastoral systems of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) of Wit, Cuba

Abstract

Some species of Cicadomorpha are viruses’ vectors of the crops, others show a good potential as indicators of the quality of the habitats. The results include the composition, richness and abundance of Cicadomorpha in systems silvopastoral with Leucaena leucocephala. Collecting was carried out in the arbustivo stratum of leucaena and the stratum of different types of grasses of San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque. The sampling was carried out between june and october of 2012 and april and october of 2013, by means of an entomological net. A total of 28 species and 1044 individuals of Cicadomorpha were recognized for the systems silvopastoral with Leucaena leucocephala including for the first time Empoasca canda, second more abundant species in leucaena. The highest value of richness and abundance of the insects were found in the herbaceous stratum of the grasses (27 species and 802 individuals), being the dominant species Balclutha hebe (186 individuals), Hortensia similis (185) and Draeculacephala producta (102). In the arbustivo stratum of leucaena these parameters were 10 and 242 respectively, the dominant species was E. canda (182 individuals). The analysis multivariado reflected that Cicadomorpha is segregated in three groups, one of the arbustivo stratum of leucaena, a second group in the herbaceous stratum of the pasture and a third in the area with Estrella pasture.