Journal of Economic Entomology (1995) 88, 1641-1649

W.L. Tedders (1995)
Identity of spittlebug on pecan and life history of Clastoptera achatina (Homoptera: Cercopidae)
Journal of Economic Entomology 88 (6), 1641-1649
Abstract: External morphologies of Clastoptera achatina Germar and C. obtusa (Say) from various collections were compared. The findings were described and illustrated. The only species found inhabiting pecan trees in the southeastern United States was C. achatina. C. obtusa rarely, if ever, develops on pecan. Also, the biology and life history of C. achatina was studied and described. During years of small or moderate populations, an overwintering and 2 generations of adults occurred, along with a very small, questionable, 3rd generation. Adults laid ~2 eggs per site, and, oviposition sites were adjacent to buds and usually on the smallest diameter, youngest, and most succulent shoot tissue. Time required for egg-to-egg generations was ~49 d. Five nymphal instars occurred. Females averaged 0.7 mm longer than males. Large numbers of spittlebug nymphs on pecan caused dieback of shoots, reduced nut size, poor nut quality, and sometimes abortion of immature nuts. Each of several large populations of spittlebugs on pecans failed to produce a subsequent generation, leading to their disappearance from the orchard. Parasites of C. achatina were not observed, but a number of heteropteran predators were found, the most numerous species being Deraeocoris nebulosus (Uhler). Several sympatric dipterans were found inhabiting spittlemasses. A trap for monitoring the presence of adult C. achatina is described.
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Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
population dynamics/ epidemiology
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Clastoptera achatina	Pecan/hickory (Carya)	U.S.A. (SE)
	Clastoptera obtusa		U.S.A. (SE)
Deraeocoris nebulosus (predator)	Clastoptera achatina	Pecan/hickory (Carya)	U.S.A. (SE)