Occurrence of Scaphoideus titanus Ball and some other Auchenorrhyncha in the vineyards of western Slovakia

Abstract

A study of Auchenorrhyncha was carried out in 2014 and 2015 in 7 vineyard plots with different varieties and pest management strategies in the Nitra wine region and Lesser Carpathian wine region in western Slovakia. The aim of this study was to obtain information related to the presence of potential vector insects associated with grapevine yellows phytoplasmas from the Flavescence dorée and Bois noir groups. Insects were collected by sweeping with an entomological net. Thirty species of Auchenorrhyncha were identified as belonging to 6 families. Cicadellidae were the most abundant, comprising 20 species. Scaphoideus titanus was collected at 4 localities. Identification of the phytoplasma vector is critical to the national strategy for assessment and control of vectors spreading the phytoplasma disease in Slovakian vineyards. The first finding of Metcalfa pruinosa was noticed in vineyards in Slovakia.

Keywords

• leafhoppers
• planthoppers
• scaphoideus titanus ball
• phytoplasma vector
• incidence