Scaphoideus titanus up-to-the-minute: biology, ecology, and role as a vector
Elena Gonella, Giovanni Benelli, Nathalie Arricau-Bouvery, Domenico Bosco, Carlo Duso, Chris H. Dietrich, Luciana Galetto, Attilio Rizzoli, Jelena Jović, Valerio Mazzoni, N. Mōri, Rachele Nieri, Pio Federico Roversi, Gudrun Strauss, Denis Thiéry, Valeria Trivellone, Meta Virant‐Doberlet, Andrea Lucchi, Alberto Alma
Abstract
Native to the Nearctic region, Scaphoideus titanus Ball (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) has become a major threat for \ngrapevine production after being unintentionally introduced into Europe, where it became the main vector of flavescence \ndorée phytoplasma, being mainly associated with the genus Vitis. Scaphoideus titanus is a highly efficient vector of the \nmost important phytoplasma affecting grapevine. For this reason, compulsory insecticide treatments have been introduced \nagainst this pest in many European countries. Moreover, the continuous expansion of its geographical distribution makes \nthis leafhopper a serious threat for several non-European Countries. In this article, we review the current knowledge about \nits taxonomy, morphology, biology, ecology, and its role as a vector. Finally, we point out the main challenges for research \naimed at reducing S. titanus and flavescence dorée expansion across Europe and avoiding spread of the disease outside the \nOld World.