EPPO Global Database

EPPO Reporting Service no. 01 - 2005 Num. article: 2005/007

Review paper on Xylella fastidiosa and its vectors


A few species of xylem fluid-feeding insects are considered as important pests because they can transmit Xylella fastidiosa (EPPO A1 List) which induces diseases on grapevine, citrus, coffee, almond, lucerne, stone fruits, ornamental plants and hardwood trees. In particular, two diseases caused by X. fastidiosa, citrus variegated chlorosis and grapevine Pierce’s disease are currently causing problems. In Brazil, citrus variegated chlorosis became important in the early 1990s and has now expanded through many citrus-growing areas of South America. The recent establishment of Homalodisca coagulata (Homoptera: Cicadellidae – EPPO Alert List) in California has led to serious outbreaks of Pierce’s disease, and consequently to much research on insect vectors and disease management. A review paper on X. fastidiosa and its vectors presents the current knowledge on disease epidemiology and tries to identify which vectors may have the potential to invade new areas outside their natural range and become important disease vectors. Today, 39 species and 19 genera of Cicadellidae and 5 species of Cercopidae have been shown to be vectors of X. fastidiosa. In North America, the following species are reported as particularly abundant in affected crops or adjacent vegetation: Xyphon (Carneocephala) fulgida, Draeculacephala minerva, Graphocephala atropunctata, Homalodisca coagulata and Oncometopia spp. In Brazilian citrus groves, the main species found are: Dilobopterus costalimai, Oncometopia facialis, Acrogonia citrina, Bucephalogonia xanthophis.

A simplified table below presents the vector species which may have the potential to invade new areas and further spread X. fastidiosa (a more complete table is given in the review paper). The authors stressed that this list is only an attempt, as information is still incomplete for many species.

Species
Disease
Distribution
Risk
Bucephalogonia xanthophis
CVC
CLS
Argentina, Brazil
High. Common in diverse ecosystems and abundant on ornamental plants and nursery stocks
Dilobopterus costalimai
CVC
CLS
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay
High. Common in diverse ecosystems, crops and ornamental plants
Draeculacephala minerva
PD
AD
ALS
California, Hawaii, south-west and west USA, Mexico, Central America
High. Common in diverse ecosystems
Graphocephala atropunctata
PD
AD
ALS
South-west USA to Central America
High. Common in diverse ecosystems. Associated with ornamental plants
Macugonalia leucomelas
CVC
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay
High. Common in diverse ecosystems. Associated with ornamental plants and nursery trees
Acrogonia citrina
CVC
Brazil
High. Common in diverse ecosystems, ornamental plants and nursery trees
Homalodisca coagulata
PD
PPD
OLS
South-east USA to Texas, California, Mexico
High. History of range expansion on nursery stock. Ability to feed on woody tissue may allow secondary transmission of X. fastidiosa in grapes
Oncometopia nigricans
PD
South USA
High. Associated with disease epidemics, large host range.
CVC: citrus variegated chlorosis – CLS: coffee leaf scorch – PD: Pierce’s disease – AD – alfalfa dwarf - ALS: almond leaf scorch – PPD: phony peach disease – OLS: oleander leaf scorch.

Sources

Redak RA, Purcell AH, Lopes JRS, Blua MJ, Mizell RF, Andersen PC (2004) The biology of xylem fluid-feeding insect vectors of Xylella fastidiosa and their relation to disease epidemiology. Annual Review of Entomology, 49243-270.