Abstract:
Variations in ovariole development and fat body content of the leafhopper were investigated in flowering and non-flowering mango trees. Specimens of I. clypealis from the same rearing colony were placed and isolated in trees with and without inflorescence. Leafhoppers were then collected after seven and fourteen days. Dissected females were examined for ovariole development and fat body content and rated based on a classification system set by Xingquan et al. (2003). Differences in ovariole development rating and in fat body ratings between flowering and non-flowering groups on Day 14 were significant (p=0.001 and p=0.000 respectively) but not on Day 7. Leafhoppers under inflorescence showed more advanced stages of ovarian maturation, seen by higher ratings in ovarian development. Fat body depletion was greater in leafhoppers under flowering mango as nutrition acquisition for egg lay occurs. Over time, leafhoppers cultivated in mango inflorescence had greater frequency of stages showing advanced stages of reproductive maturity than leafhoppers exposed to non-flowering mango.
