Neophilaenus campestris (Fallén) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) is among the most abundant, highly dispersible, and widely distributed Xylella fastidiosa Wells (Xanthomonadales: Xanthomonadaceae) vectors to olive tree in Europe, with emphasis in Andalucía. The development of efficient and environmentally friendly vector management strategies is greatly needed. Entomopathogenic ascomycetes are among the few alternatives for the microbial control of pierce-sucking spittlebugs due to their unique contact mode and ability to endophytically colonize crops. These characteristics allow for several strategic uses aimed at reducing vector populations and/or their disease transmission potential. This study included a two-year field experiment to evaluate the Metarhizium brunneum Petch. (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) strain EAMa 01/58-Su sprayed onto N. campestris population naturally present in the olive grove cover in Cordoba (Spain).
Landscape and environmental drivers of plant health decline during an active invasion of Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al. in Mediterranean agroecosystems
Invasive plant pathogens, such as Xylella fastidiosa (Xf), pose a major threat to global agricultural and natural ecosystems, yet their impacts are rarely assessed across agro–natural interfaces where plant diversity, landscape structure and environmental stress...