Prevalence of Flavescence Dorée Phytoplasma-Infected Scaphoideus titanus in Different Vineyard Agroecosystems of Northwestern Italy

Research reveals that the prevalence of Flavescence dorée (FD) phytoplasma-infected Scaphoideus titanus, a key vector in vineyard ecosystems, is significantly higher outside cultivated vineyards (up to 48%) compared to inside them (up to 34%). The study, conducted across seven diverse sites in Piedmont, Italy, also found that the abundance of these vectors decreases sharply from late July onwards, particularly within vineyard boundaries. Analyzing yellow sticky trap collections over two months in 2015, scientists correlated vector population levels, infection rates, and disease prevalence in both cultivated and wild Vitis plants with landscape features. The findings suggest that wild compartments play a critical role in the epidemiology of FD, with infection rates increasing throughout the season in both environments.

Ripamonti, M., Pegoraro, M., Rossi, M., Bodino, N., Beal, D., Panero, L., Marzachì, C., & Bosco, D. (2020). Prevalence of Flavescence Dorée Phytoplasma-Infected Scaphoideus titanus in Different Vineyard Agroecosystems of Northwestern Italy. Insects, 11(5), 301. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11050301