Plant Lectins Affect Survival of the Potato Leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)

Fourteen plant lectins from a total of 13 species of plants were studied in artificial diet for effect on survival time of adult female Empoasca fabae (Harris). Six of the plant lectins (wheat germ, jackfruit, pea, lentil, red kidney bean, and horse gram) in diet significantly reduced leafhopper survival compared with control diet, at dietary levels of 0.2-1.5%. The lectin from camel’s foot tree lengthened survival and may have been a nutrient source of amino acids. The other lectins had no effect on survival time. These are the first published accounts identifying candidate proteins for genetic modification of crop plants to control a piercing-sucking pest species.