Biogeographical characterization of Psalmocharias plagifera (Schumacher, 1922) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) mass emergence in southwest Morocco

Abstract

Several zones in southwestern Morocco were surveyed following a recent exceptional invasion of a species of cicada in May 2021, which caused significant damage, particularly in young almond plantations. The objective is to identify the cicada causing the damages and to determine the infested areas as well as the host plants. According to the plant protection service of Essaouira, more than 10,000 hectares of almond plantations have been impacted by the infestation. Based on the sites where they were found, the most infected plant species were listed. As a result of the surveys, four provinces were invaded: Essaouira, Chichaoua, Agadir, and Taroudant. The variety of host plants demonstrated that this cicada species is polyphagous. Throughout the invasion, different life stages of the cicada species were sampled and examined in the laboratory using a stereomicroscope. A preliminary morphological analysis of the cicada developmental stages, especially the adults, allowed us to establish the provisional life cycle of this hemipteran. In addition to morphological characteristics, male genital was dissected to identify the Cicada species responsible for the mass emergence. The external morphology of the adult and the pattern of the male genitalia allowed us to identify the cicada species responsible for the invasion as Psalmocharias plagifera (Hemiptera, Cicadidae).

Keywords

• psalmocharias plagifera
• distribution
• morphologie
• cycle
• genitalia
• maroc