The presence and rapid spread of Almond Witches’ Broom (AlmWB) phytoplasma in Lebanon, causing serious economic losses, entails the activity of one or more efficient insect vectors. Samplings of cixiid (planthopper) fauna were carried out through the years 2010-2013 by means of Malaise and yellow sticky traps in two AlmWB infected orchards planted respectively with almond and nectarine trees. Moreover direct samplings with a hand-held D-vac were performed in the same orchards and surroundings. All cixiids captured were identified by morphological features and subsequently analysed for phytoplasma detection. Total DNA was subjected to direct and nested PCR, using respectively the semi-specific primer pair AlWF2/AlWR2 and the primer pair P1/P7 followed by the primers R16F2n/R16R2 universal for phytoplasmas. Nested PCR products were then sequenced to identify taxonomic 16Sr group/subgroup. The following cixiid genera were collected during the different insect field samplings: Cixius, Tachycixius, Eumecurus, Oliarus, Pentastira, Pentastiridius and Hyalesthes. The molecular analyses pointed out Cixius, Tachycixius, Eumecurus and Hyalesthes as carriers of ‘Ca. Phytoplasma phoenicium’. These results highlighted the role of planthoppers in the epidemiology of AlmWB disease. Besides ‘Ca. Phytoplasma phoenicium’, ‘Ca. Phytoplasma asteris’, ‘Ca. Phytoplasma solani’ and ‘Ca. Phytoplasma mali’ were recorded in the different collected insect taxa. Further studies are required to better clarify the taxonomic status and the bio ethology of collected planthoppers and deeply study their role as phytoplasma vectors. The knowledge of these aspects is extremely important considering also the real risk of introduction of the disease in Euro Mediterranean Countries.

Potential vectors of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium’ in Lebanon / R. Tedeschi, F. Quaglino, L. Picciau, M. Jawhari, Y. Abou Jawdah, M. Molino Lova, P. Casati, E. Choueiri, N. Abdul Nour, P.A. Bianco, A. Alma. ((Intervento presentato al 20. convegno Meeting SIPaV tenutosi a Pisa nel 2014.

Potential vectors of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium’ in Lebanon

F. Quaglino
Secondo
;
P. Casati;P.A. Bianco
Penultimo
;
2014

Abstract

The presence and rapid spread of Almond Witches’ Broom (AlmWB) phytoplasma in Lebanon, causing serious economic losses, entails the activity of one or more efficient insect vectors. Samplings of cixiid (planthopper) fauna were carried out through the years 2010-2013 by means of Malaise and yellow sticky traps in two AlmWB infected orchards planted respectively with almond and nectarine trees. Moreover direct samplings with a hand-held D-vac were performed in the same orchards and surroundings. All cixiids captured were identified by morphological features and subsequently analysed for phytoplasma detection. Total DNA was subjected to direct and nested PCR, using respectively the semi-specific primer pair AlWF2/AlWR2 and the primer pair P1/P7 followed by the primers R16F2n/R16R2 universal for phytoplasmas. Nested PCR products were then sequenced to identify taxonomic 16Sr group/subgroup. The following cixiid genera were collected during the different insect field samplings: Cixius, Tachycixius, Eumecurus, Oliarus, Pentastira, Pentastiridius and Hyalesthes. The molecular analyses pointed out Cixius, Tachycixius, Eumecurus and Hyalesthes as carriers of ‘Ca. Phytoplasma phoenicium’. These results highlighted the role of planthoppers in the epidemiology of AlmWB disease. Besides ‘Ca. Phytoplasma phoenicium’, ‘Ca. Phytoplasma asteris’, ‘Ca. Phytoplasma solani’ and ‘Ca. Phytoplasma mali’ were recorded in the different collected insect taxa. Further studies are required to better clarify the taxonomic status and the bio ethology of collected planthoppers and deeply study their role as phytoplasma vectors. The knowledge of these aspects is extremely important considering also the real risk of introduction of the disease in Euro Mediterranean Countries.
22-set-2014
Settore AGR/12 - Patologia Vegetale
Settore AGR/11 - Entomologia Generale e Applicata
Potential vectors of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium’ in Lebanon / R. Tedeschi, F. Quaglino, L. Picciau, M. Jawhari, Y. Abou Jawdah, M. Molino Lova, P. Casati, E. Choueiri, N. Abdul Nour, P.A. Bianco, A. Alma. ((Intervento presentato al 20. convegno Meeting SIPaV tenutosi a Pisa nel 2014.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/272003
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