Review paper
Scaphoideus titanus up-to-the-minute: biology, ecology, and role as a vector
Gonella, Elena; Benelli, Giovanni; Arricau-Bouvery, Nathalie; Bosco, Domenico; Duso, Carlo; Dietrich, Christopher H.; Galetto, Luciana; Rizzoli, Attilio; Jović, Jelena; Mazzoni, Valerio; Mori, Nicola; Nieri, Rachele; Roversi, Pio F.; Strauss, Gudrun; Thiéry, Denis; Trivellone, Valeria; Virant-Doberlet, Meta; Lucchi, Andrea; Alma, Alberto
Entomologia Generalis Volume 44 Number 3 (2024), p. 481 - 496
published: Jul 29, 2024
published online: Jul 10, 2024
manuscript accepted: May 12, 2024
manuscript revision received: Apr 25, 2024
manuscript revision requested: Apr 10, 2024
manuscript received: Mar 8, 2024
DOI: 10.1127/entomologia/2023/2597
Open Access (paper may be downloaded free of charge)
Abstract
Native to the Nearctic region, Scaphoideus titanus Ball (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) has become a major threat for grapevine production after being unintentionally introduced into Europe, where it became the main vector of flavescence dorée phytoplasma, being mainly associated with the genus Vitis. Scaphoideus titanus is a highly efficient vector of the most important phytoplasma affecting grapevine. For this reason, compulsory insecticide treatments have been introduced against this pest in many European countries. Moreover, the continuous expansion of its geographical distribution makes this leafhopper a serious threat for several non-European Countries. In this article, we review the current knowledge about its taxonomy, morphology, biology, ecology, and its role as a vector. Finally, we point out the main challenges for research aimed at reducing S. titanus and flavescence dorée expansion across Europe and avoiding spread of the disease outside the Old World.
Keywords
vector distribution • flavescence dorée • Cicadellidae • life cycle • morphology and taxonomy • feeding behaviour