Possibilities of environmentally acceptable control methods of American grapevine leafhopper (Scaphoideus titanus Ball, 1932)

Abstract

The American Grapevine Leafhopper (AGL) (Scaphoideus titanus Ball, 1932) is a small insect of the family leafhoppers (Cicadellidae), originally spread across North America. Specie has been introduced to Europe, where is known primarily as a vector of phytoplasma Grapevine flavescence dorée (FD), (Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis), a disease-causing grapevine yellows. AGL was first found in Slovenia in 1983. First occurrence of grapevine yellows was confirmed in Slovenia in 2005. Since no effective biological control agents are known to date, AGL populations are suppressed using insecticides during the host plant's growth period. Some researchers reported that it is in both continents (North America, Europe) abundance of natural enemies of the AGL very small. Researchers reported that some parasitoids (Drynidae: Hymenoptera and Pipunculidae: Diptera) parasitize the AGL, but the percentage of efficiency is very low (from 1.3 to 0.8 %). Among the methods of integrated pest management of AGL methods of mating disruption, thermotherapy, and cover crops are used.