Transmission of Xylella fastidiosa Subspecies Pauca Sequence Type 53 by Different Insect Species

Diseases associated with Xylella fastidiosa have been described mostly in North and South America. However, during the last five years, widespread X. fastidiosa infections have been reported in a constrained area of the Apulia region (southern Italy), in olives trees suffering a severe disease, denoted as Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS). Because many xylem sap-feeding insects can function as vectors for the transmission of this exotic pathogen in EU, several research programs are ongoing to assess the role of candidate vectors in the spread of the infections. Initial investigations identified Philaenus spumarius (L.) as the predominant vector species in the olive orchards affected by the OQDS. Additional experiments have been carried out during 2016 and 2017 to assess the role of other species. More specifically, adults of the spittlebugs Philaenus italosignus Drosopolous and Remane, Neophilaenus campestris (Fallen) and of the planthopper Latilica tunetana (Matsumura) (Issidae) have been tested in transmission experiments to assess their ability to acquire the bacterium from infected olives and to infect different susceptible hosts (olives, almond, myrtle –leaf milkwort, periwinkle). Acquisition rates determined by testing individual insects in quantitative PCR assays, ranging from 5.6% in N. campestris to 22.2% in P. italosignus, whereas no acquisition was recorded for L. tunetana. Successful transmissions were detected in the recipient plants exposed to P. italosignus and N. campestris, whereas no trasmissions occurred with L. tunetana. The known vector Philaenus spumarius has been included in all the experiments for validation. The systematic surveys conducted in 2016 and 2017 provided further evidence on the population dynamics and seasonal abundance of the spittlebug populations in the olive groves.

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Causal Role of Xylella fastidiosa in Oleander Leaf Scorch Disease

Phytopathology ◽

10.1094/phyto.1999.89.1.53 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 89 (1) ◽

pp. 53-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 119

Author(s):

A. H. Purcell ◽

S. R. Saunders ◽

M. Hendson ◽

M. E. Grebus ◽

M. J. Henry

Keyword(s):

Prunus Persica ◽

Xylella Fastidiosa ◽

Xylem Sap ◽

Nerium Oleander ◽

Madagascar Periwinkle ◽

Leaf Scorch ◽

Valley Oak ◽

Sap Feeding ◽

Negative Controls

A lethal leaf scorch disease of oleander (Nerium oleander) appeared in southern California in 1993. A bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa, was detected by culturing, enzyme-linked immunoassay, and polymerase chain reaction in most symptomatic plants but not in symptomless plants or negative controls. Inoculating oleanders mechanically with X. fastidiosa cultures from diseased oleanders caused oleander leaf scorch (OLS) disease. The bacterium was reisolated from inoculated plants that became diseased. Three species of xylem sap-feeding leafhoppers transmitted the bacterium from oleander to oleander. The bacterium multiplied, moved systemically, and caused wilting in Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus rosea) and leaf scorch in periwinkle (Vinca major) in a greenhouse after inoculation with needle puncture. No bacterium was reisolated from grapevine (Vitis vinifera), peach (Prunus persica), olive (Olea europaea), California blackberry (Rubus ursinus), or valley oak (Quercus lobata) mechanically inoculated with OLS strains of X. fastidiosa. A 500-bp sequence of the 16S-23S ribosomal intergenic region of oleander strains showed 99.2% identity with Pierce's disease strains, 98.4% identity with oak leaf scorch strains, and 98.6% identity with phony peach, plum leaf scald, and almond leaf scorch strains.

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Preliminary Molecular Survey of the Possible Presence of Xylella fastidiosa in the Upper Ionian Coasts of Calabria, Italy, through the Capture and Analysis of Its Main Vector Insects

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12050446 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 446

Author(s):

Luca Lombardo ◽

Pierluigi Rizzo ◽

Carmine Novellis ◽

Veronica Vizzarri

Keyword(s):

Xylella Fastidiosa ◽

Diagnostic Techniques ◽

Insect Species ◽

Molecular Diagnostic ◽

Molecular Diagnostic Techniques ◽

Philaenus Spumarius ◽

Apulia Region ◽

Italian Regions ◽

Olive Groves ◽

Olive Quick Decline Syndrome

Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca, strain CoDiRO is the bacterium responsible for the onset of the disease known as the olive quick decline syndrome, which has been causing a phytosanitary and economic emergency in the Apulia region since 2013. To date, three insect species have been identified as pathogenic carriers of X. fastidiosa. With the advancement of the infection front, and the possibility of pathogenic insects being “hitchhiked” over long distances, the monitoring of the vectors of X. fastidiosa in the Italian regions bordering Apulia is an increasingly contingent issue for the rapid containment of the bacterium and the protection of the olive-growing heritage. Accordingly, the present research concerned the capture and recognition of the vector insects of X. fastidiosa in the upper Ionian coasts of Calabria (Italy) to evaluate the possible presence of the bacterium through molecular diagnostic techniques. The sampling allowed us to ascertain the presence of Philaenus spumarius and Neophilaenus campestris and their preferential distribution in olive groves and meadows, whereas all the 563 individuals tested negative for the pathogen.

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Genetic and endosymbiotic diversity of Greek populations of Philaenus spumarius, Philaenus signatus and Neophilaenus campestris, vectors of Xylella fastidiosa

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-83109-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Despoina Ev. Kapantaidaki ◽

Spyridon Antonatos ◽

Vasiliki Evangelou ◽

Dimitrios P. Papachristos ◽

Panagiotis Milonas

Keyword(s):

Xylella Fastidiosa ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Xylem Sap ◽

Infection Status ◽

Effective Management ◽

Potential Threat ◽

High Genetic Diversity ◽

Philaenus Spumarius ◽

Olive Cultivation ◽

Sap Feeding

AbstractThe plant-pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa which causes significant diseases to various plant species worldwide, is exclusively transmitted by xylem sap-feeding insects. Given the fact that X. fastidiosa poses a serious potential threat for olive cultivation in Greece, the main aim of this study was to investigate the genetic variation of Greek populations of three spittlebug species (Philaenus spumarius, P. signatus and Neophilaenus campestris), by examining the molecular markers Cytochrome Oxidase I, cytochrome b and Internal Transcribed Spacer. Moreover, the infection status of the secondary endosymbionts Wolbachia, Arsenophonus, Hamiltonella, Cardinium and Rickettsia, among these populations, was determined. According to the results, the ITS2 region was the less polymorphic, while the analyzed fragments of COI and cytb genes, displayed high genetic diversity. The phylogenetic analysis placed the Greek populations of P. spumarius into the previously obtained Southwest clade in Europe. The analysis of the bacterial diversity revealed a diverse infection status. Rickettsia was the most predominant endosymbiont while Cardinium was totally absent from all examined populations. Philaenus spumarius harbored Rickettsia, Arsenophonus, Hamiltonella and Wolbachia, N. campestris carried Rickettsia, Hamiltonella and Wolbachia while P. signatus was infected only by Rickettsia. The results of this study will provide an important knowledge resource for understanding the population dynamics of vectors of X. fastidiosa with a view to formulate effective management strategies towards the bacterium.

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Landscape composition predicts the distribution of Philaenus spumarius, vector of Xylella fastidiosa, in olive groves

Journal of Pest Science ◽

10.1007/s10340-019-01095-8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 92 (3) ◽

pp. 1101-1109 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Giacomo Santoiemma ◽

Giovanni Tamburini ◽

Francesco Sanna ◽

Nicola Mori ◽

Lorenzo Marini

Keyword(s):

Xylella Fastidiosa ◽

Landscape Composition ◽

Philaenus Spumarius ◽

Olive Groves

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The Xylella fastidiosa-Resistant Olive Cultivar “Leccino” Has Stable Endophytic Microbiota during the Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS)

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9010035 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 35 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Marzia Vergine ◽

Joana B. Meyer ◽

Massimiliano Cardinale ◽

Erika Sabella ◽

Martin Hartmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Xylella Fastidiosa ◽

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

16S Rrna Genes ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

Olive Cultivar ◽

Olive Quick Decline Syndrome ◽

Olive Trees ◽

Potential Interactions ◽

Highly Virulent

Xylella fastidiosa is a highly virulent pathogen that causes Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS), which is currently devastating olive plantations in the Salento region (Apulia, Southern Italy). We explored the microbiome associated with X. fastidiosa-infected (Xf-infected) and -uninfected (Xf-uninfected) olive trees in Salento, to assess the level of dysbiosis and to get first insights into the potential role of microbial endophytes in protecting the host from the disease. The resistant cultivar “Leccino” was compared to the susceptible cultivar “Cellina di Nardò”, in order to identify microbial taxa and parameters potentially involved in resistance mechanisms. Metabarcoding of 16S rRNA genes and fungal ITS2 was used to characterize both total and endophytic microbiota in olive branches and leaves. “Cellina di Nardò” showed a drastic dysbiosis after X. fastidiosa infection, while “Leccino” (both infected and uninfected) maintained a similar microbiota. The genus Pseudomonas dominated all “Leccino” and Xf-uninfected “Cellina di Nardò” trees, whereas Ammoniphilus prevailed in Xf-infected “Cellina di Nardò”. Diversity of microbiota in Xf-uninfected “Leccino” was higher than in Xf-uninfected “Cellina di Nardò”. Several bacterial taxa specifically associated with “Leccino” showed potential interactions with X. fastidiosa. The maintenance of a healthy microbiota with higher diversity and the presence of cultivar-specific microbes might support the resistance of “Leccino” to X. fastidiosa. Such beneficial bacteria might be isolated in the future for biological treatment of the OQDS.

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A FIVE-YEAR SURVEY IN TUSCANY (ITALY) AND DETECTION OF XYLELLA FASTIDIOSASUBSPECIES MULTIPLEXIN POTENTIAL INSECT VECTORS, COLLECTED IN MONTE ARGENTARIO

Redia ◽

10.19263/redia-104.21.09 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 104 ◽

pp. 75-88

Author(s):

ELISABETTA GARGANI ◽

CLAUDIA BENVENUTI ◽

LEONARDO MARIANELLI ◽

PIO FEDERICO ROVERSI ◽

MASSIMO RICCIOLINI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Xylella Fastidiosa ◽

Xylem Sap ◽

Insect Vectors ◽

Philaenus Spumarius ◽

The Family ◽

Infected Area ◽

Vector Borne ◽

Very High ◽

Cicadella Viridis

The vector‐borne bacterium Xylella fastidiosa(Wells and Raju) causes several serious diseases to plants. Recently, different subspecies of X. fastidiosa were reported in some European countries. The risk of the bacterium’s spread on the entire European territory is very high; therefore, it has been added into the priority pest list (2019/1702/EU Regulation). The main purposes of this work were to verify the presence of potential vectors in areas at a high risk of introduction in Tuscany and to ascertain the presence of X. fastidiosa in these insect vectors. Over 4,000 Auchenorrhyncha were collected and analysed from 2015 to 2019. Among the xylem sap-feeder putative vectors, most of the insects collected belonged to the family Aphrophoridae, but also many species of leafhopper were identified. Overall, in Tuscany four species were the most represented: Philaenus spumarius(L.), Cicadella viridis(L.), Synophropsis lauri (Horvath) and Neophilaenus campestris(Fallen).In 2018 an outbreak of X. fastidiosa subsp. multiplex was reported in Monte Argentario (Grosseto province, Tuscany). In 2019 X. fastidiosa subspecies multiplex ST 87 was detected in seven P. spumarius and three N. campestris collected from the infected area.

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Aphrophoridae Role in Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca ST53 Invasion in Southern Italy

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10081035 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1035

Author(s):

Ugo Picciotti ◽

Nada Lahbib ◽

Valdete Sefa ◽

Francesco Porcelli ◽

Francesca Garganese

Keyword(s):

Pest Management ◽

Plant Pathogen ◽

Southern Italy ◽

Xylella Fastidiosa ◽

Xylem Sap ◽

Disease Spread ◽

Insect Vector ◽

Transmission Control ◽

Olive Quick Decline Syndrome ◽

Olive Trees

The Philaenus spumarius L. (Hemiptera Aphrophoridae) is a xylem-sap feeder vector that acquires Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca ST53 during feeding on infected plants. The bacterium is the plant pathogen responsible for olive quick decline syndrome that has decimated olive trees in Southern Italy. Damage originates mainly from the insect vector attitude that multiplies the pathogen potentialities propagating Xf in time and space. The principal action to manage insect-borne pathogens and to contain the disease spread consists in vector and transmission control. The analysis of an innovative and sustainable integrated pest management quantitative strategy that targets the vector and the infection by combining chemical and physical control means demonstrates that it is possible to stop the Xylella invasion. This review updates the available topics addressing vectors’ identification, bionomics, infection management, and induced disease by Xylella invasion to discuss major available tools to mitigate the damage consequent to the disease.

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Microbe Profile: Xylella fastidiosa – a devastating agricultural pathogen with an endophytic lifestyle

Microbiology ◽

10.1099/mic.0.001091 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 167 (10) ◽

Author(s):

Lindsey P. Burbank ◽

M. Caroline Roper

Keyword(s):

Type Species ◽

Xylella Fastidiosa ◽

Xylem Sap ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

Plant Tissues ◽

Content Type ◽

Link Type ◽

Quarantine Pathogen ◽

Sap Feeding ◽

Vector Borne

Xylella fastidiosa is a vector-borne plant vascular pathogen that has caused devastating disease outbreaks in diverse agricultural crops worldwide. A major global quarantine pathogen, X. fastidiosa can infect hundreds of plant species and can be transmitted by many different xylem sap-feeding insects. Several decades of research have revealed a complex lifestyle dependent on adaptation to the xylem and insect environments and interactions with host plant tissues.

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Seasonal Abundance and Infectivity of Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), a Vector of Xylella fastidiosa in California Vineyards

Environmental Entomology ◽

10.1093/ee/nvaa178 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dylan J Beal ◽

Monica Cooper ◽

Matthew P Daugherty ◽

Alexander H Purcell ◽

Rodrigo P P Almeida

Keyword(s):

Xylella Fastidiosa ◽

Seasonal Abundance ◽

North Coast ◽

Philaenus Spumarius ◽

Transmission Rates ◽

The North ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Alternative Hypotheses ◽

Sweep Net ◽

Meadow Spittlebug

Abstract The meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), is a vector of the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa; however, its role in recent outbreaks of Pierce’s disease of grapevine (PD) in California is unclear. While the phenology and ecology of P. spumarius can help determine its contributions to PD epidemics, both remain poorly described in the North Coast vineyards of California. We assessed the phenology of P. spumarius in the region. Spittlemasses were first observed in February or March, while the emergence of adult spittlebugs did not occur until April or May depending on the year. Analysis of sweep and trap data from 2016 to 2018 revealed significant effects of survey month, vineyard site, and year on adult abundance in sweep and trap surveys. Spittlebug adults were present in the vineyards from April until December, with the greatest number of adults by sweep net in May or June, whereas adults on traps peaked between July and November. Analysis of natural infectivity in groups of field-collected spittlebug adults showed significant difference in transmission rates among months. Spittlebugs successfully transmitted Xylella fastidiosa (Wells) (Xanthomonadales: Xanthomonadaceae) to potted grapevines between July and December. The greatest risk of X. fastidiosa transmission by P. spumarius was in December (60%) followed by October (30%). However, the infectivity patterns of the meadow spittlebug did not align with the historical paradigm of California North Coast PD. We discuss alternative hypotheses in which P. spumarius could play a role in the epidemiology of this disease.

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