ULTERIORI ACQUISIZIONI PER IL CONTROLLO DI PHILAENUS SPUMARIUS VETTORE DI XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA

The introduction and rapid spread of the quarantine bacterium Xylella fastidiosa in Apulia, transmitted by xylemomize insects, require the adoption of control measures against Philaenus spumarius the main vector of the bacterium. To this aim, three field trials were set up during 2018 and 2019, aimed to acquire further data on the effectiveness of authorized substances or new insecticides against P. spumarius. Neonicotinoids and pyrethroids confirmed their high efficacy. The new formulations based on cyantraniliprole and phosmet provided results similar to the reference products. Abamectin showed a good knock-down effect but no persistence, while no effects on the insect mortality were recorded with the application with spinetoram. Application of kaolin and imidacloprid from 2016 to 2019, on calendar basis, did not reduce or prevent the transmission of the bacterium on healthy olives exposed to the natural infection of the vector in the infected areas.