Presence and distribution of known, alternative and putative insect vectors of phytoplasmas associated with “flavescence dorée” disease in Northeast Italy

Since 2020 grapevine “flavescence doree” (FD) epidemic outbreaks have been reported in the northern Italy regions even where a vector control was carried out. In 40 severely FD infected vineyards the presence and distribution of known, alternative and putative vectors and of symptomatic grapevines were monitored during 2021–2022 vegetative season. Results confirmed that Scaphoideus titanus is the main vector of “flavescence doree” and highlighted the possible role in the FD epidemiology of Orientus ishidae and Phlogotettix cyclops. Moreover, Neoaliturus fenestratus tested positive to the “flavescence doree” phytoplasma with high captures and partially associated with symptomatic grapevines distribution.