First records of the sugar cane and forage grass pest, Prosapia simulans (Homoptera : Cercopidae), from South America

The genus Prosapia Fennah and R simulans (Walker) are reported for the firs t time in South America, based on recent field collections in Colombia and museum specimens from Venezuela. Prosapia simulans was found on Axonopus mi cay Garcia-Barr., Brachiaria decumbens Stapf, B. dictyoneura (Fig. & De Not .) Stapf, Cynodon plectostachyus (K. Schum.) Pilger, Hyparrhenia rufa (Nees ) Stapf and Saccharum officinarum L. (Poaceae). Persistent field population s were detected from 1060-1621 in elevation, principally associated with B. decumbens, reaching economic levels in one of the observed sites. On two o ccasions P. simulans was found on sugar cane. Evidence suggests that this C entral American sugar cane and forage grass pest is a well-established new arrival, thereby representing a new threat to pasture production and potent ial threat to cane production in Colombia's Cauca Valley. The distribution, bionomics, and pest status of R simulans are summarized, and its mode of i ntroduction and potential pest status are discussed.