How will Mahanarva spectabilis (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) Respond to Global Warming?

The aim of this study was to determine the favorable constant temperature range for Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) development as well as to generate geographic distribution maps of this insect pest for future climate scenarios. M. spectabilis eggs were reared on two host plants (Brachiaria ruziziensis (Germain and Edvard) and Pennisetum purpureum (Schumach)), with individual plants kept at temperatures of 16, 20, 24, 28, and 32 degrees C. Nymphal stage duration, nymphal survival, adult longevity, and egg production were recorded for each temperature*host plant combination. Using the favorable temperature ranges for M. spectabilis development, it was possible to generate geographic distribution. Nymphal survival was highest at 24.4 degrees C, with estimates of 44 and 8% on Pennisetum and Brachiaria, respectively. Nymphal stage duration was greater on Brachiaria than on Pennisetum at 20 and 24 degrees C but equal at 28 degrees C. Egg production was higher on Pennisetum at 24 and 28 degrees C than at 20 degrees C, and adult longevity on Pennisetum was higher at 28 degrees C than at 20 degrees C, whereas adult longevity at 24 degrees C did not differ from that at 20 and 28 degrees C. With these results, it was possible to predict a reduction in M. spectabilis densities in most regions of Brazil in future climate scenarios.