New records of leafhoppers from Gujarat

Leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) represents one of the most diverse groups of phytophagous insects, many of which are important agricultural pests and vectors of plant pathogens. Despite their ecological and economic importance, the diversity of leafhoppers in Gujarat remains poorly documented. The present study reports the first systematic survey of leafhopper fauna from Anand Agricultural University (AAU), Anand in central Gujarat. Specimens were collected using sweep nets and light traps across multiple sites within the AAU campus and identified using standard taxonomic keys and databases. A total of thirteen leafhopper specimens were recorded, belonging to different genera and tribes, of which six species are documented for the first time from Gujarat i.e., Balclutha incisa (Matsumura), Balclutha rubrostriata (Melichar), Cicadulina sp., Exitianus indicus (Distant), Hecalus sp. and Erythroneura sp. Detailed redescriptions, diagnostic characters, host plants, seasonal occurrence, and distributional data are provided for each species. The findings highlight the rich but underexplored diversity of leafhoppers in Gujarat and underscore the need for continued faunistic surveys to better understand their host associations, pest potential, and role in agroecosystems.