Species composition and prevalence of sharpshooters and spittlebugs potential vectors of Xylella fastidiosa in olive orchards of southeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT

Xylem sap-feeding auchenorrhynchans, e.g. sharpshooters and spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Cicadellinae and Cercopoidea, respectively), are considered potential vectors of the xylem-limited bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which is associated with olive leaf desiccation syndrome, a severe disease affecting olive orchards (Olea europaea L.) in the Mantiqueira mountain range region, southeastern Brazil. We evaluated, through faunal analysis, the composition and predominance of Cicadellinae and Cercopoidea species collected fortnightly over two years with yellow sticky cards in eight olive orchards distributed along an altitudinal gradient in the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais. A high diversity of Cicadellinae (64 species) and Cercopoidea (10 species) was found in the orchards, with 20 of them considered predominant. Clastoptera sp. 1, Macugonalia cavifrons, and Scopogonalia paula were the most representative among the predominant species. We also found out that the trap position on the olive tree canopy at a height of 0.8 m above ground is more efficient than at 1.6 m for capturing the majority of Cicadellinae and Cercopoidea species associated with olive orchards.

Keywords:
Phytopathogenic bacterium; Insect vectors; Olea europaea L.; Olive leaf desiccation; syndrome; Olive quick decline syndrome