• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.479-484
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• 2009

A leafhopper, Zorka sp. was collected from a persimmon (Diospyrosi kaki, cv SangjuDungsi) orchard in Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea on 15 June, 2008. This leafhopper gave a serious damage to persimmon leaves, being a new pest to persimmon. This leafhopper was tentatively identified as Zorka sp., which has not been recorded in the science. White spots of <1mm-circle occurred around the vein of damaged leaves. Most part of leaf was turned to white when heavy infection occurred. The first symptom occurred from 4 days after introduction of Zorka sp. (4 adults/persimmon leaf). We investigated the occurrence of Zorka sp. in the persimmon orchards in Korea from 2008 to 2009. Total 143 orchards from 11 cities in 6 provinces were observed from July to August. The damage caused by Zorka sp. was found in 22 orchards (15.4%) of the investigated. According to locality, 40.7% of orchards were damaged in Yeongdong, Chungcheongbuk-do and 33.3% in Wanju, Jeollabuk-do. However, no damage was observed from the orchards in Gyeongsangnam-do and Jeju-do, south part of Korea. Especially, 9 of 11 orchards in Youngdong were located close to grapevine yards.