Scaphoideus titanus Ball, 1932 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) - a new invasive pest of grapes on the territory of the Donbass

Abstract

In August 2019, in the course of reconnaissance monitoring of insect pest complex of grapevine in the territory of the Donbass, the invasive North American grapevine leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus Ball, 1932 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) was first recorded. A pest outbreak has been registered in the territory of the Novoazovsk region. A targeted search for the species in other areas ended up with a negative result. Scaphoideus titanus is a specialized pest of grapevine and a pathogenic agent of Grapevine flavescence doree - phytoplasma 'Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis' (Phytoplasma vitis), included in the list of pests of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) and the Common List of Quarantine Pests of the Eurasian Economic Union. The paper presents information on the history of invasion and distribution of this leafhopper throughout Europe, host plants, biology, life cycle and pathways of phytoplasma ‘ Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis’. The range expansion of S. titanus threatens with penetration of the causative agent of grapevine flavescence doree into the Donbass and requires purposeful studies on the features of biology, distribution and population condition of grapevine leafhopper in the region.