Biology and phytoplasma detection of the newly described Bamboosella dimorpha leafhopper in grapevine yellows-affected vineyards

The aim of this study was to investigate the biology and the possible role in grapevine yellows epidemiology of the newly described alien species Bamboosella dimorpha in northern Italy regions. The results showed that the bamboo feeding leafhopper is present in the vineyard surroundings where Phyllostachys spp. plants are growing. The flight dynamics confirming its ability to held three generations per year. B. dimorpha can survive a couple of days on grapevine leaves. The specimens collected using sweeping nets from bamboo plants located in vineyard borders carried “flavescence dorée” phytoplasma. Further investigations are needed to evaluate the ability of B. dimorpha to transmit this phytoplasma .