Grapevine Yellows in Italy: Past, Present and Future

The history of early appearence, progressive spreading,distribution, outbreaks etc, of the grapevine yellows diseases in Italy is reported and discussed. The present epidemics of flavescence dorèee in northern Italy and the wide diffusion of bois noir throughout the country are also described and commented under different points of view, i.e.: situation in each single Italian region, symptoms and economic losses, molecular diagnosis, phytoplasma strains or variants, natural host plants, insect vectors, progressive spreading, and control strategies.