Dalmaso Giovanni, Ioriatti Claudio, Gualandri Valeria, Zapponi Livia, Mazzoni Valerio, Mori Nicola, Baldessari Mario
Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy.
Centre for Technology Transfer, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all'Adige, Italy.
Insects. 2023 Mar 2;14(3):246. doi: 10.3390/insects14030246.
The mosaic leafhopper, (Matsumura), is an Asian species widespread in Europe that can cause leaf damage in wild trees and transmit disease phytoplasmas to grapevines. Following an outbreak reported in 2019 in an apple orchard in northern Italy, the biology and damage caused by this species to apples were investigated during 2020 and 2021. Our studies included observations on the life cycle, leaf symptoms associated to its trophic activity, and its capability to acquire " Phytoplasma mali," a causal agent of Apple Proliferation (AP). The results indicate that can complete the life cycle on apple trees. Nymphs emerged between May and June, and adults were present from early July to late October, with the peak of flight between July and early August. Semi-field observations allowed for an accurate description of leaf symptoms that appeared as a distinct yellowing after a one-day exposure. In field experiments, 23% of the leaves were found damaged. In addition, 16-18% of the collected leafhoppers were found carrying AP phytoplasma. We conclude that has the potential to be a new apple tree pest. However, further studies are required to better understand the economic impact of the infestations.
花叶蝉（Matsumura）是一种广泛分布于欧洲的亚洲物种，会对野生树木造成叶片损害，并将植原体病害传播给葡萄藤。2019年意大利北部一个苹果园报告了该物种的一次爆发后，在2020年和2021年对其生物学特性以及对苹果造成的损害进行了调查。我们的研究包括对其生命周期、与营养活动相关的叶片症状以及获取“苹果增殖植原体”（苹果增殖病的病原体）能力的观察。结果表明，该物种能够在苹果树上完成生命周期。若虫在5月至6月间出现，成虫从7月初至10月底出现，飞行高峰期在7月至8月初。半田间观察能够准确描述叶片症状，即暴露一天后会出现明显的黄化。在田间试验中，发现23%的叶片受损。此外，在收集的叶蝉中，有16 - 18%被发现携带苹果增殖植原体。我们得出结论，该物种有可能成为一种新的苹果树害虫。然而，需要进一步研究以更好地了解虫害的经济影响。
