Abstract

The genus Empoasca comprises more than 600 species, many of them important pests of cultivated plants. The leafhopper Empoasca fabalis DeLong, 1930 is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of America. From here, it has successfully spread to most regions of the continent. Today its range extends from the southern United States, through Central America, and the West Indies to southern South America (Cusipuma & Sanchez 1993, DeLong 1930, Paradell et al. 1990, Poos & Wheeler 1949, Wolcott, 1948). Outside its native area, the species was more recently recorded in the Canary Islands (Lorenzo & Hermoso de Mendonza 2000) and Hawaii (Dietrich & Perreira 2019). Although it is still not known to occur in the European mainland, specimens were collected in 2000 on the island of La Palma (Spain) (Lorenzo & Hermoso de Mendonza, 2000). Until now, it was unknown on the island of Madeira and Portugal.