Dorisiana

Dorisiana is a genus of large insects belonging to the family Cicadidae (order Hemiptera). These insects are primarily native to tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in South America. From an agronomic perspective, they are recognized as significant pests that can impact the health and productivity of various woody plant species, trees, and perennial crops.

The host range of Dorisiana includes several economically important trees, such as coffee plants and various fruit-bearing species. Both adult cicadas and their nymphs extract plant sap, which serves as their primary food source. Adults primarily feed on the aerial parts of plants, while nymphs live underground, feeding exclusively on the xylem sap from the roots of the host plants.

The life cycle of Dorisiana is characterized by a prolonged developmental period. Adult females deposit their eggs into the bark of young twigs using a specialized ovipositor. Once the nymphs hatch, they drop to the ground and burrow into the soil. They remain underground for several years, passing through multiple instar stages before finally emerging as adults to mate and complete their cycle.

Damage caused by these insects is multifaceted. Adult feeding and egg-laying can lead to branch dieback, wilting, and physical scarring of the bark. Long-term feeding by large numbers of nymphs on the root system weakens the tree's structural integrity and physiological capacity to absorb water and nutrients, which can significantly stunt growth or cause eventual tree decline.

Managing Dorisiana populations requires an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach due to the cryptic nature of the soil-dwelling nymphs. Effective strategies include:

• Monitoring adult activity using light traps to determine peak emergence times for targeted interventions.
• Pruning and destroying branches containing egg masses to reduce the next generation's population.
• Maintaining healthy plant vigor through balanced fertilization and adequate irrigation to mitigate the effects of sap extraction.
• Utilizing biological control agents, such as entomopathogenic fungi, to target nymphs in the soil environment.