Infezione naturale da fitoplasmi in Hyalesthes obsoletus, Euscelis lineolatus e Psammotettix spp. in agroecosistemi vigneto della regione Marche.

Grapevine yellows associated with phytoplasmas are severe diseases that constitute a serious phytosanitary problem in several Italian regions. In particular, Flavescence Dorée (FD) and Bois Noir (BN) can cause severe economic damage to grapevine production. At the moment, only two “foci” of infection of FD have been detected in the Marche Region, while BN is being spread and is on the increase in different vine growing areas (Romanazzi et al., 2007). Previous investigations have shown the sporadic presence of the cixiid planthopper Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret (BN natural vector) in some vineyards affected by BN, with the concomitant presence of other Auchenorrhyncha species known to be or under investigation as phytoplasma vectors. Here, we report on the natural phytoplasma infection of H. obsoletus, Euscelis lineolatus Brullé, Neoaliturus fenestratus (Herrich-Schäffer) and Psammotettix spp. (Homoptera, Auchenorrhyncha) in vineyard ecosystems of the Marche Region.