Journal of Economic Entomology (2020) 113, 596-603

Tiziana Oppedisano, Jernej Polajnar, Rok Kostanjsek, Antonio De Cristofaro, Claudio Ioriatti, Meta Virant-Doberlet and Valerio Mazzoni (2020)
Substrate-borne vibrational communication in the vector of apple proliferation disease Cacopsylla picta (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)
Journal of Economic Entomology 113 (2), 596-603
Abstract: Cacopsylla picta (Förster, 1848) (Hemiptera: Pysllidae) is the main vector of apple proliferation, a phytoplasma-caused disease. It represents one of the most severe problems in apple orchards, and therefore, there is a mandatory requirement to chemically treat against this pest in the European Union. Sexual communication using substrate-borne vibrations was demonstrated in several psyllid species. Here, we report the characteristics of the vibrational signals emitted by C. picta during courtship behavior. The pair formation process can be divided into two main phases: identification and courtship. Females initiate the communication on the host plant by emitting trains of vibrational pulses and, during courtship, if males reply, by emitting a signal consisting of a series of pre-pulses and a 'buzz', a duet is established. Moreover, a scanning electron microscopy investigation showed the presence of a stridulatory structure on the thorax and wings of both sexes, whereas the video recordings elucidated associated wing movement. The results provide new information about the biology of this phytoplasma vector and could form a basis of an environmentally friendly pest management strategy.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Antonio De Cristofaro, Claudio Ioriatti, Valerio Mazzoni

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Cacopsylla picta	Apple (Malus)