Cicadomorpha Community (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) in Portuguese Vineyards with Notes of Potential Vectors of Xylella fastidiosa

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Cicadomorpha (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) represent a group of concern in vineyards since they can cause damage directly through feeding or can be vectors for serious pathogens such as grapevine yellows or the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, the causal agent of Pierce’s disease. Therefore, knowing the diversity and abundance of these insects in Portuguese vineyards is the first step for implementing appropriate measures to control these pathogens. Vineyards distributed in mainland Portugal were sampled to investigate species composition, richness, and diversity of the Cicadomorpha community, focusing on vectors and potential vectors of X. fastidiosa. A total of 11,834 individuals belonging to 81 different species/morphospecies were collected. Of these species, only two are confirmed vectors of X. fastidiosa (Philaenus spumarius and Neophilaenus campestris), and three are considered potential vectors (Cicadella viridis, Lepyronia coleoptrata, and N. lineatus). Species that cause direct damage to vines and vectors of grapevine yellows’ phytoplasmas were also collected. ABSTRACT: Cicadomorpha (Hemiptera) insects are currently responsible for a growing negative impact on the agricultural economy due to their ability to directly damage crops or through the capacity to act as vectors for plant pathogens. The phytopathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, the causal agent of Pierce’s disease in vineyards, is exclusively transmitted by insects of this infraorder. Therefore, knowledge of the Cicadomorpha species and understanding their biology and ecology is crucial. In this work, in 2018 and 2019, the canopy and inter-row vegetation of 35 vineyards distributed in mainland Portugal were sampled to investigate species composition, richness, and diversity of the Cicadomorpha community, with a special focus given to vectors and potential vectors of X. fastidiosa. A total of 11,834 individuals were collected, 3003 in 2018 and 8831 in 2019. Of the 81 species/morphospecies identified, only five are considered vectors or potential vectors of this pathogen, namely, Cicadella viridis (Linnaeus, 1758), Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus, 1758), Neophilaenus campestris (Fallén, 1805), Lepyronia coleoptrata (Linnaeus, 1758), and N. lineatus (Linnaeus, 1758). Cicadella viridis was the most abundant xylem sap feeder, followed by P. spumarius. In addition, Cicadomorpha that cause direct damage to vines and vectors of grapevine yellows’ phytoplasmas were also collected and identified in the sampled vineyards. The results suggested that vectors and potential vectors of X. fastidiosa and a large proportion of the population of Cicadomorpha have a positive correction with inter-row vegetation.