insights about xylella
Ecology and control of XF vectors
Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) is primarily considered a plant pathogen, despite the fact that it successfully colonizes two very distinct hosts: plants and insect vectors. Vectors are required for natural X. fastidiosa dissemination.
Therefore, a robust understanding of vector ecology is necessary for the development of management practices. One important aspect of Xf transmission relevant to the emergence of new diseases is that it lacks vector specificity. The xylem-sap feeding insects that transmit Xf are distributed worldwide.
Due to the relatively recent emergence of the Xf threats in Europe, there are no consolidated data on the distribution of various potential insect vectors are available in EU, with consequent uncertainties about the area where the bacterium can spread rapidly and cause serious disease outbreaks, the project work plan will investigate the biological processes involved in insect vectoring (feeding behavior, host preference, vibrational communication signals) and the use of innovative approaches (NGS analysis, microbiome and metagenomics sequencing) to produce massive information for the development of novel bio-control tools.
PROJECT PUBLICATIONS
VIEW ALLVibrational playbacks and microscopy to study the signalling behaviour and female physiology of Philaenus spumarius
Authors: Sabina Avosani, Pietro Franceschi, Marco Ciolli, Vincenzo Verrastro, Valerio Mazzoni. Publication: 02 March 2021 Abstract: The meadow spittlebug Philaenus spumarius, vector of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, relies on vibrational communication to accomplish...
Genetic and endosymbiotic diversity of Greek populations of Philaenus spumarius, Philaenus signatus and Neophilaenus campestris, vectors of Xylella fastidiosa
Authors: Despoina Ev. Kapantaidaki, Spyridon Antonatos, Vasiliki Evangelou, Dimitrios P. Papachristos & Panagiotis Milonas. Publication: 12 February 2021 Abstract: The plant-pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa which causes significant diseases to various...
Vibrational communication and mating behavior of the meadow spittlebug Philaenus spumarius
Authors: Sabina Avosani, Elissa Daher, Pietro Franceschi, Marco Ciolli, Vincenzo Verrastro, and Valerio Mazzoni Publication: 21 September 2020 Abstract: Vibrational pest control techniques have been recently developed for several Hemiptera, suggesting that similar...
FEATURED BIBLIOGRAPHY
VIEW ALLOoctonus vulgatus (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), a potential biocontrol agent to reduce populations of Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae) the main vector of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe
Authors: Xavier Mesmin; Marguerite Chartois; Guenaelle Genson2, Jean-Pierre Rossi2, Astrid Cruaud2, Jean-Yves Rasplus2 Published: September 7, 2019 Abstract: As vector of Xylella fastidiosa (Wells, 1987) in Europe, the meadow spittlebug, Philaenus...
Dispersal ability of Neophilaenus campestris, a vector of Xylella fastidiosa, from olive groves to over-summering hosts
Authors: Lago Clara; Marina Morente; Daniel De las Heras-Bravo; Antonio Marti-Campoy; Francisco Rodriguez-Ballester, Maria Plaza, Aranzazu Moreno, Alberto Fereres. Posted: March 19, 2020. Abstract: Neophilaenus campestris is one of the recently identified spittlebugs...
A Guild-Based Protocol to Target Potential Natural Enemies of Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), a Vector of Xylella fastidiosa (Xanthomonadaceae): A Case Study with Spiders in the Olive Grove
Authors: Jacinto Benhadi-Marín; María Villa; Luís F. Pereira; Isabel Rodrigues; Marina Morente; Paula Baptista; José Alberto Pereira. Published: February 3, 2020 Abstract: The olive grove is a key landscape across the Mediterranean basin. This agroecosystem is...