To the biology of the European lantern fly, Dictyophara europaea, in the Middle Volga region of Russia

The European lantern fly, Dictyophara europaea (Linnaeus, 1767) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Dictyopharidae) is an abundant species in Eurasia and North Africa, inhabiting the grassy vegetation of open spaces, and does not have the status of a pest of agricultural plants. The purpose of this study was to assess the relative prevalence of planthopper under conditions of eco- and agroecosystems on herbaceous and woody plants in the Samara region of Russia for the period 1992-2016. Along with natural vegetation, D. europaea was also registered on potatoes, barley and perennial fodder grasses, as well as on cherry, plum and black poplar. The feeding of D. europaea was observed on potatoes, watermelon, pumpkin, alfalfa, as well as on wild plants: steppe sage, tuberous rank, chicory, and on woody plants: common lilac and bird cherry. It was found that the abundance of D. europaea increased by 2.2 times in the 21st century compared to the 20th century. It is reported that under conditions of the Samara region of Russia, D. europaea can be a potential vector of phytoplasma belonging to the pigeon pea witches’-broom group – 16SrIX, which may have phytosanitary significance for cultivated plants.