Continuous indoor rearing of Philaenus spumarius, the main European vector of Xylella fastidiosa
Authors
Marina Morente (1), Daniele Cornara (1), Aránzazu Moreno (1) Alberto Fereres (1)
Affiliations
(1) Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, ICA‐CSIC Madrid, Spain
Abstract Oral Presentation
The phytosanitary emergence triggered by Xylella fastidiosa introduction in Europe urgently calls for research on its main vector, the meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius. The difficulties faced in altering P. spumarius life cycle setting up a continuous indoor rearing under artificial conditions, obtaining a continuous availability of insects for laboratory trials, represent a great limit for research. Here, we propose a methodology to rear P. spumarius in the laboratory allowing the supply of nymphs and adults before they become available in the field. This crucial step forward will permit to overcome the seasonality barrier, reducing time and efforts currently required for experimentation on the meadow spittlebug. The proposed methodology would allow producing the data urgently required to fill the knowledge gap and finally set up an effective and environmentally friendly control strategy of P. spumarius.
The work has been funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades under the grant agreement no. AGL2017‐89604‐R and the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the grant agreement no. 635646 POnTE (Pest Organisms Threatening Europe).
Published on July 18, 2017 by JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY
