Diversity and population dynamics of Xylella fastidiosa potential vectors in olive groves with different management systems

Abstract: Diversity and population dynamics of Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al. potential vectors species and other Auchenorrhyncha were studied in olive orchards under three management systems: organic, conventional and abandoned. Auchenorrhyncha were monitored monthly in 6 olive groves at Istiea (Central Greece) and Chania (South Greece) for 13 months using Malaise traps and sweeping-net. Overall, Philaenus spumarius was the most abundant X. fastidiosa potential vector followed by Neophilaenus campestris, Cercopis sanguinolenta, Lepyronia coleoptrata and Neophilaenus lineatus. The abundance and diversity in X. fastidiosa potential vectors as well as in total Auchenorrhyncha were lower in olive orchards in Chania. The abandoned olive orchard hosted the highest population of potential vectors in Chania, but the lowest in Istiea, compared with the respective cultivated one. In both regions, the organic orchards displayed higher diversity in Auchenorrhyncha compared to the other management systems. Cultural techniques such as weed control provided the most probable explanation for the significant Auchenorrhyncha population fluctuation among olive orchards. However, insecticide applications against olive fruit fly did not affect Auchenorrhyncha abundance. The conventional orchard in Istiea displayed the highest abundance and species richness of the potential vectors of X. fastidiosa, mainly during autumn, when dried weeds remained in the orchard after herbicide application.