Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Studies Aimed at Evaluating the Impact of Generalist Predators on the Leafhopper Erasmoneura vulnerata Populations

Stefan Cristian Prazaru
ORCID logo ,
Giulia Zanettin
,
Alberto Pozzebon
* ORCID logo ,
Paola Tirello
,
Francesco Toffoletto
,
Davide Scaccini
ORCID logo ,
Carlo Duso
* ORCID logo
Version 1 : Received: 31 December 2020 / Approved: 4 January 2021 / Online: 4 January 2021 (12:29:56 CET)

How to cite: Prazaru, S.C.; Zanettin, G.; Pozzebon, A.; Tirello, P.; Toffoletto, F.; Scaccini, D.; Duso, C. Studies Aimed at Evaluating the Impact of Generalist Predators on the Leafhopper Erasmoneura vulnerata Populations. Preprints 2021, 2021010032. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202101.0032.v1 Prazaru, S.C.; Zanettin, G.; Pozzebon, A.; Tirello, P.; Toffoletto, F.; Scaccini, D.; Duso, C. Studies Aimed at Evaluating the Impact of Generalist Predators on the Leafhopper Erasmoneura vulnerata Populations. Preprints 2021, 2021010032. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202101.0032.v1

Abstract

Outbreaks of the Nearctic leafhopper Erasmoneura vulnerata represent a recent issue for winegrowers in Southern Europe, in particular in North-eastern Italy. Problems are frequent in organic vineyards because insecticides labeled for organic viticulture show limited effectiveness towards leafhoppers. On the other hand, the response by naturally occurring predators and parasitoids to E. vulnerata populations in vineyards is often unable to keep leafhopper densities under levels that are acceptable for winegrowers. Here we evaluated the potential of two generalist predators, i.e., Chrysoperla carnea and Orius majusculus, in controlling E. vulnerata populations. Laboratory and semi-field experiments were carried out to evaluate both species' predation capacity on E. vulnerata nymphs. Then, predators were released in vineyards colonized by large E. vulnerata populations. Both predator species exhibited a remarkable voracity in the laboratory and significantly reduced leafhopper densities in semi-field experiments. Predator releases in vineyards reduced leafhopper densities by about 30%. Results obtained in laboratory, semi-field, and field experiments are discussed to implement these biocontrol agents' use in pest control tactics.

Keywords

Erasmoneura vulnerata; augmentative biological control; invasive pests; grapevine; Chrysoperla carnea; Orius majusculus; generalist predators

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Anatomy and Physiology

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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