Feeding behaviour of Cicadulina storeyi China (Homoptera : Cicadellidae) on maize varieties susceptible or resistant to maize streak virus

The feeding behaviour of Cicadulina storeyi China on healthy and virus-infected plants of maize varieties with different levels of resistance to maize streak geminivirus (MSV) was studied using an alternating current (AC) electronic monitor. Three maize varieties were tested: 8321-21 (fully resistant), 8329-15 (moderately resistant) and FR114 x FR303 (susceptible). Typical waveforms that have previously been associated with salivation, ingestion and non-probing activities were recorded. Variety and disease status influenced feeding behaviour. Leafhoppers probed more frequently, had a higher number of non-probing activities such as walking or resting, and a significantly shorter duration of phloem feeding on healthy plants of 8321-21 compared to those of other varieties. These results suggest that 8321-21 manifests antixenosis-type resistance to C. storeyi. The percentage of time spent on patterns associated with phloem ingestion was significantly greater on healthy plants of all varieties than on virus-infected ones. The Significance of Cicadulina feeding behaviour in relation to transmission of MSV is discussed.