Oviposition preference of Arboridia kermanshah (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) on different grape cultivars in Isfahan

The grape leafhopper, Arboridia kermanshah Dlabola (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae), is an economically important pest in most vineyards of Isfahan. In this study oviposition preference and nymphal developmental time of the pest were studiedon nine cultivars including White Yaghotii, Black Yaghotii, Askari, Rishbaba, Khalili, Rotabi, Red Keshmeshi, Black and White Keshmeshi under field and semi-field conditions in Isfahan University of Technology vineyard in two consecutive years. No-choice oviposition preference test was performed using leaf cages under natural conditions and results showed that the highest number of eggs laid per female was obtained on Rish-baba and the lowest amount was recorded on Black Yaghotii cultivar. Based on the choice oviposition preference test, using pots in the semi-field conditions, the highest and lowest oviposition rate were recorded on White Yaghotii and Black Yaghotii, respectively. In addition, the developmental times of different nymphal instars of the grape leafhopper were determined on several grape cultivars in natural conditions. The maximum duration of the total nymphal period (29.33±0.3 days) was observed on the Black Yaghotii and the lowest (26.33±0.88 days) on the White Yaghotii. Results of the oviposition preference and duration of the nymphal period indicated that White Yaghotii and Black Yaghotii were the most and least suitable hosts for A. Kermanshah, between the tested cultivars. In this study, no significant correlation (r2=0.18, P>0.05) was found between oviposition preference of A. kermanshah, respectively, and the leaf hair density of different grape cultivars.