Occurrence of Zoophthora radicans (Zygomycetes:Entomophthorales) Infecting Tea Green Leafhopper, Empoasca onukii Matsuda (Hemiptera:Cicadellidae) in a Tea Field

An epizootic of entomophthoraceous fungus, Zoophthora radicans in a population of Empoasca onukii in a tea field,Iruma, Japan, are described. The occurrence of the epizootic was monitored 1 or 2 times in a month, from September to October in 1980 and from April to November in 1981,under insecticide control. No fungicides were applied.The cadavers of adults and nymphs of E.onukii by the fungus were observed on the abaxial surface of tea leaves.Infections of the fungus caused up to 40.7% nymphs mortality in late September, 1980 and 36.2% adults and nymphs mortality in late October, 1981.The cadavers developing resting spores were observed with the cadavers developing conidia in late September, 1980 and in late October,1981.This is the first report of Z.radicans infecting E.onukii in Japan.