Adult cicadella counting vineyard 2021 — Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Leafhopper (Scaphoideus titanus) is a dreaded pest of wine growers as it is the vector of golden flavescence, a quarantine disease that can lead to the grubbing-up of the plot Leafhopper may carry the pathogen of golden flavescence. This occurs in the form of a phytoplasma, a persistent biological agent that causes the death of the contaminated cep after two years. A larva becomes vedder by feeding on an already sick vine. From this first meal, the phytoplasma circulates and multiplies in the body of the insect, which itself becomes infectious after a month. From that moment on, it remains so and can contaminate other vine feet with each intake of food. Leafhopper is considered to be inferior to the vine on which it completes its entire cycle. The larvae and the adult feed on sap by sting on the lower side of the leaf veins. This is the counting data of the cumulative number of adult leafhoppers observed during the 2021 wine year at different points of the vineyard in the region. If counting has started well with larvae, only adult counts are retained. Due to the severity of the disease and its economic impact, control is mandatory in vineyards where it is identified. It consists of different components: Prophylactic measures: burning of pruning woods, stamping, removal of sick vines, abandoned vines and regrowths of wild vines. Regulatory measures: Ministerial Orders defining mandatory treatments for the protection of planting equipment (incubators) and vineyards. Chemical control: it consists of fighting vedder leafhoppers by applying a program of 2 to 3 treatments covering the period of activity of the insect (one month after the first outbreaks until summer). Biological control: research is under way, in particular on the use of natural enemies, predators or parasitoids.