Cotton Leafhoppers, Amrasca biguttula (Ishida, 1913) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), Identified as a New Species on Okra and Guinea Sorrel in Niger

Leafhoppers (jassids) are well-known pests of vegetable crops in Niger. They are often part of a parasitic complex that causes varying degrees of damage. Over the last two crop years, the Niamey region has seen a heavy outbreak of leaf hoppers on okra and guinea sorrel. These insects alone have caused spectacular damage, resulting in losses ranging from 50% to 100% of unharvested plants. Following this observation, infested fields were surveyed, specimens sampled, and the responsible species identified. Two sites were surveyed in the city of Niamey. At each site, two plots of okra and two of guinea sorrel were visited. Fifty (50) plants were randomly sampled using the double “W” method per plot. The sampled plants were used for active and passive leaf hopper capture, damage description and loss assessment. Captured leaf hoppers were identified based on their morphology observed with a binocular magnifying glass and compared with the data in the identification keys. The symptoms observed in the plots were yellowing, leaf curling and drying, stunting, abortion of flowers and immature fruit and very low production. Identification results revealed the single species Amrasca biguttula (Ishida, 1913), which can be considered a new invasive species in Niger. Further confirmation of this identification by molecular tests, the distribution of the pest in Niger and the development of appropriate control methods would yield good prospects.