EUPTERYX DECEMNOTATA REY (HEMIPTERA CICADOMORPHA TYPHLOCYBINAE), IMPORTANT PEST OF SALVIA OFFICINALIS (LAMIACEAE)

The biology of pre-imaginal stages and the effects of feeding activity on Salvia officinalis of Eupteryx decemnotata Rey have been investigated. Field surveys conducted in a biological farm at Cascina (Pisa, Italy) evidenced that the species overwinters mostly as egg laid inside leaf tissues. At 20°C embryonic and nymphal phases take 21,48 ± 1,26 and 19,50 ± 1,83 days, respectively. Nymph’s feeding activity can cause wide chlorosis on leaf surface and consequently modification of biochemical and physiological parameters. In particular, remarkable reduction in photosynthetic activity, electron transport and total chlorophyll content were observed.