Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Impact of weeds on Auchenorrhyncha incidence and species richness in citrus orchards

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Phytoparasitica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Due to the risk posed by the imminent invasion of Xylella fastidiosa in Mediterranean countries, scientific focus has shifted towards studies on the ecology of the bacteria’s potential vectors belonging to the Auchenorrhyncha suborder. In order to gain knowledge regarding the management of this pest,it is essential to evaluate the potential impact of Auchenorrhyncha weed hosts and their population composition on the ecology of these species. Under this light, the relationship between Auchenorrhyncha species abundance and composition and wild plant species of a citrus orchard in central Greece (Attica) was studied. The orchard was divided in two sections based on weed management treatments: one with weeds being removed by mowing and the other without any weed treatment. Yellow sticky traps, replaced in a weekly basis, were installed in each orchard section while a migration Malaise trap was installed in the border of the two sections. Additional sampling from different weed species and citrus trees using an entomological net was carried out weekly. Results showed that the presence of weeds (especially those belonging to the Poaceae family), affected both auchenorrhynchan insect diversity and population levels. A marked preference of insects for weed plants compared with citrus trees was observed with the later plants usually being visited only after weed removal. The implications of the above observation on weed management as a means of controlling potential Xylella fastidiosa vectors belonging to the auchenorrhynchan species was discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

All the data and material referred in the manuscript are available to check

References

  • Aguyoh, J. N., Masiunas, J. B., & Eastman, C. (2004). Interaction of insects and weeds in a snap bean agroecosystem. HortScience, 39, 287–290. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.39.2.287.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Altieri, M. A. (1988). The dynamics of insect populations in crop systems subject to weed interference. p. 433–451 in E. A. Heinrichs, (ed). Plant stress-insect interactions. New York: Wiley-Interscience.

  • Altieri, M. A., & Letourneau, D. K. (1982). Vegetation management and biological control in agro-ecosystems. Crop Protection, 1, 405–430. https://doi.org/10.1016/0261-2194(82)90023-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Altieri, M. A., & Whitcomb, W. H. (1979). The potential use of weeds in the manipulation of beneficial insects. HortScience, 14, 12–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Altieri, M. A., van Schoonhoven, A., & Doll, J. (1977). The ecological role of weeds in insect Pest management systems: A review illustrated by bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) cropping systems. PANS, 23(2), 195–205. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670877709412428.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Backus, E. (1993). Stippling vs burning: Understanding and quantifying the feeding damage from Empoasca spp. leafhoppers. In “Proceedings of the 8th Auch. Congress”. Delphi, Greece. 70-71.

  • Backus, E. A., Serrano, M. S., & Ranger, C. M. (2005). Mechanisms of hopperburn: An overview of insect taxonomy, behavior, and physiology. Annual Review of Entomology, 50, 125–151.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baspinar, H. (1994). Some observations on dominant structure and population changes of Asymmetrasca decedens (Paoili) and Empoasca decipiens Paoli (Hom. Cicadellidae) on different crops in Adana. Turkish Journal of Entomology, 18, 71–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bella, S., & D’Urso, V. (2012). First record in the Mediterranean basin of the alien leafhopper Balclutha brevis living on invasive Pennisetum setaceum. Bulletin of Insectology, 65, 195–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biedermann, R., Achtzoger, R., Nickel, H., & Stewart, A. (2005). Conservation of grassland leafhoppers: A brief review. Journal of Insect Conservation, 9, 229–243. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-005-0531-z.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biedermann, R., & R. Niedringhaus. (2009). The Plant- and leafhoppers of Germany. Frund, 1–11.

  • Blocker, H. D. (1967). Classification of the western hemisphere Balclutha (Homoptera: CIcadellidae). Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 122, 3581.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brlansky, R. H., Damsteegt, V. D., & Hartung, J. S. (2002). Transmission of the citrus variegated chlorosis bacterium Xylella fastidiosa with the sharpshooter Oncometopia nigricans. Plant Disease, 86, 1237–1239.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Capinera, J. (2005). Relationships between insect pests and weeds: An evolutionary perspective. Weed Science, 53, 892–901. https://doi.org/10.1614/WS-04-049R.1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curry, J. P. (1973). The arthropods associated with the decomposition of some common grass and weed species in the soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 5, 645–657. https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-0717(73)90055-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cusack, P. D., G. O. Evans, & P. A. Brennan. (1975). A survey of the mites of stored grain and grain products in the Republic of Ireland. The Scientific Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society (Ser B) 3: 273–329.

  • Dellapé, G., Paradell, S., Semorile, L., & Delfederico, L. (2016). Potential vectors of Xylella fastidiosa: A study of leafhoppers and treehoppers in citrus agroecosystems affected by Citrus variegated Chlorosis. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 161, 92–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dmitriev, D. A. (2019). 3I interactive keys and taxonomic databases. [on line] URL: http://dmitriev.speciesfile.org (accessed September 20, 2019).

  • Dongiovanni, C., Cavalieri, V., Bodino, N., Tauro, D., Di Carolo, M., Fumarola, G., Altamura, G., Lasorella, C., & Bosco, D. (2019). Plant selection and population trend of spittlebug Immatures (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) in olive groves of the Apulia region of Italy. Journal of Economic Entomology, 112(1), 67–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drosopoulos, S. (1977). Biosystematic studies on the Muefferiunellu complex (Delphacidae, Homoptera, Auchenorrhyncha). Meded. LandbHoogesch. Wageningen, 77-14, 1–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • EFSA Panel on Plant Health (PLH). (2015). Scientific Opinion on the risks to plant health posed by Xylella fastidiosa in the EU territory, with the identification and evaluation of risk reduction options. EFSA Journal, 13(1), 3989–4251. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2015.3989.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • EFSA Panel on Plant Health (PLH), Bragard, C., Dehnen-Schmutz, K., Serio, F. D., Gonthier, P., Jacques, M.-A., Miret, J. A. J., Justesen, A. F., MacLeod, A., Magnusson, C. S., Milonas, P., Navas-Cortés, J. A., Potting, R., Reignault, P. L., Thulke, H.-H., van der Werf, W., Civera, A. V., Yuen, J., Zappalà, L., Boscia, D., Chapman, D., Gilioli, G., Krugner, R., Mastin, A., Simonetto, A., Lopes, J. R. S., White, S., Abrahantes, J. C., Delbianco, A., Maiorano, A., Mosbach-Schulz, O., Stancanelli, G., Guzzo, M., & Parnell, S. (2019). Update of the scientific opinion on the risks to plant health posed by Xylella fastidiosa in the EU territory. EFSA Journal, 17(5), 5665. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5665.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emmanouel, N. G. (1977). Aspects of the biology of mites associated with cereals during growth and storage. Ph.D. dissertation. National University of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.

  • PM 7/24 (2) Xylella fastidiosa. (2016). EPPO Bulletin, 46(3), 463–500. https://doi.org/10.1111/epp.12327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • PM 7/24 (3) Xylella fastidiosa. (2018). EPPO Bulletin, 48(2), 175–218. https://doi.org/10.1111/epp.12469.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eyre, M. D., Woodward, J. C., & Luff, M. L. (2001). The distribution of grassland Auchenorrhyncha assemblages (Homoptera: Cercopidae, Cicadellidae, Delphacidae) in northern England and Scotland. Journal of Insect Conservation, 5, 37–54. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011330624531.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Figueroa, A. (1976). lnsectos hallados e n malezas de Colombia. Proceedings ler. Encuentro regional sobre interacciones maleza cultivos-insectos. CIAT. Palmira, Colombia. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670877709412428.

  • Gnezdilov, V. M., Holzinger, W. E., & Wilson, M. R. (2014). The Western Palaearctic Issidae (Hemiptera, Fulgoroidea): An illustrated checklist and key to genera and subgenera. Proceedings of the Zoological Institute RAS, 318(1), 1–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goeden, R. D., & Ricker, D. W. (1975). The phytophagous insect fauna of the ragweed Ambrosia confertiflora in Southern California. Environmental Entomology, 4, 301–306. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/4.2.301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guglielmino, A., D’Urso, V., & Alma, A. (2000). Auchenorrhyncha (Insecta, Homoptera) from Sardinia (Italy): A faunistic, ecological and zoogeographical contribution. Deutsche entomologische Zeitschrift, 47, 161–172. https://doi.org/10.1002/dez.200000019.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hammond, R. B., & Jeffers, D. L. (1990). Potato leaf- hopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) populations on soybean relay intercropped into winter wheat. Environmental Entomology, 19, 1810–1819. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/19.6.1810.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, W. B. (1939). A transmissible disease of grapevine. Phytopathology, 29, 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, W. M. B., Houston, B. R., Frazier, N. W., & Freitag, J. H. (1946). Leafhopper transmission of the virus causing Pierce’s disease of grape and dwarf of alfalfa. Phytopathology, 36, 117–128.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holzinger, W. E., I. Kammerlander, & H. Nickel. (2003). The Auchenorrhyncha of Central Europe (Fulgoromorpha, Cicadomorpha excl. Cicadellidae), pp. 673. In H. Nickel (ed.). Brill publishers, Leiden, The Netherlands.

  • Kaloostian, G. H., Oldfield, G. N., Pierce, H. D., & Cavalan, E. C. (1975). Spiroplasma citri and its transmission to citrus and other plants by leafhoppers. In K. Maramorosch & K. Harris (Eds.), Leafhopper vectors of plant disease agents (pp. 447–450). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kersting, U., & Sengonca, C. (1992). Detection of insect vectors of the citrus stubborn disease pathogen, Spiroplasma citri Saglio et al., in the citrus growing area of South Turkey. Journal of Applied Entomology, 113, 356–364. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0418.1992.tb00675.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, H.-Y., Gumpf, D. J., Oldfield, G. N., & Cavalan, E. C. (1983). The relation of Spiroplasma citri, and Circulifer tenellus. Phtopathology, 73, 585–590.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loconsole, G., Potere, O., Boscia, D., Altamura, G., Djelouah, K., Elbeaino, T., Frasheri, D., Lorusso, D., Palmisano, F., Pollastro, P., Silletti, M. R., Trisciuzzi, N., Valentini, F., Savino, V., & Saponari, M. (2014). Detection of Xylella fastidiosa in olive trees by molecular and serological methods. Journal of Plant Pathology, 96(1), 7–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazzoglio, P., Dolci, P., Lessio, F., & Alma, A. (2009). Zoopthora radicans affecting Zyginidia pullula. Bulletin of Insectology, 62, 143–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mehrnejad, M. R. (2001). The current status of pistachio pests in Iran. CIHEAM n., 56, 315–322.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mehrnejad, M. R. (2010). Potential biological control agents of the common pistachio psylla Agonoscena pistaciae, a review. Entomofauna, 31(21), 317–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • Namba, R. (1956). A revision of the Balclutha species found in Hawaii, with descriptions of five new species (Homoptera: Cicadellidae). Proceedings of Hawaiian Entomological Society, 16, 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nault, L., & Ammar, E. (1989). Leafhopper and planthopper transmission of plant viruses. Annual Review of Entomology., 34, 503–529.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nielson, M. W. (1968). The leafhopper vectors of phytopatogenic virus (homo.: Cicadellidae). Technical Bulletin of the USDA., 1382, 1–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Novotny, V. (1994). Relation between temporal persistence of host plants and wing length in leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). Ecological Entomology, 19, 168–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oldfield, G., Sullivan, A., & Calavan, E. (1984). Inoculativity of leafhopper vectors of stubborn disease in California. Conference Proceedings of Citrus Virologists, 9(9), 125–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oloumi-Sadeghi, H., Zavaleta, L. R., Kapusta, G., Lamp, W. O., & Armbrust, E. J. (1989). Effect of potato leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) and weed control on alfalfa yield and quality. Journal of Economic Entomology, 82, 923–923. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/82.3.923.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ossiannilsson, F. (1978). The Auchenorrhyncha (Homoptera) of Fennoscandia and Denmark. Part 1: Introduction, infraorder Fulgoromorpha. Entomologia Scandinavica, 7, 1–222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ossiannilsson, F. (1981). The Auchenorrhyncha (Homoptera) of Fennoscandia and Denmark. Part 2: The families Cicadidae, Cercopidae, Membracidae and Cicadellidae (excl. Deltocephalinae). Entomologia Scandinavica, 7, 223–593.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ossiannilsson, F. (1983). The Auchenorrhyncha (Homoptera) of Fennoscandia and Denmark. Part 3: The familiy Cicadellidae, Deltocephalinae, catalogue, literature and index. Entomologia Scandinavica, 7, 594–979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Port, G. R. (1978). Studies on the feeding biology of Auchenorrhyncha (Homoptera). Ph.D. Thesis, University of London.

  • Purcell, A. H., & Almeida, R. P. (2005). Insects as vectors of disease agents. Encyclopedia of Plant and Crop Science, 10, 1–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raven, J. A. (1983). Phytophages of xylem and phloem: A comparison of animal and plant sap-suckers. Advances in Ecological Research, 13, 135–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Resh V., & R. Carde. (2009). Encyclopedia of insects. Elsevier. 56-63.

  • Ribaut, H. (1936). Homopteres Auchenorhynches I. (Typhlocybidae). In P. Lechevalier (Ed.), Faune de France (Vol. 31, pp. 1–228). Paris: Lechevalier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ribaut, H. (1952). Homopteres Auchιnorhynches II. (Jassidae). In P. Lechevalier (Ed.), Faune de France (Vol. 57, pp. 1–474). Paris: Lechevalier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saglio, P., L’Hospital, D., Lafleche, D., Dupont, G., Bove, J. M., Tully, J. G., & Freundt, E. A. (1973). Spiroplasma citri gen.And sp. n.: A mycoplasma-like organism associated with “stubborn” disease of Citrus. International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology, 23(3), 191–204.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saponari, M., Boscia, D., Nigro, F., & Martelli, G. P. (2013). Identification of DNA sequences related to Xylella fastidiosa in oleander, almond and olive trees exhibiting leaf scorch symptoms in Apulia (southern Italy). Journal of Plant Pathology, 95, 659–668.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saponari, M., Loconsole, G., Cornara, D., Yokomi, R. K., De Stradis, A., Boscia, D., Bosco, D., Martelli, G. P., Krugner, R., & Porcelli, F. (2014). Infectivity and transmission of Xylella fastidiosa by Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) in Apulia, Italy. Journal of Economic Entomology, 107, 1316–1319. https://doi.org/10.4454/JPP.V95I3.035.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saponari, M., D’Attoma, G., Abou Kubaa, R., Loconsole, G., Altamura, G., Zicca, S., Rizzo, D., & Boscia, D. (2019). A new variant of Xylella fastidiosa subspecies multiplex detected in different host plants in the recently emerged outbreak in the region of Tuscany, Italy. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 154(4), 1195–1200.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, E. H. (1949). Measurement of diversity. Nature, 163, 688.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steacy, K., & A. Pouchot-Lermans. (1993). Biological control of Empoasca decipiens, a new leafhopper pest in british glasshouses. Proceedings of the 8th Auchenorrhyncha Congress. Delphi, Greece. 79.

  • Trivellone, V., Paltrinieri, L. P., Jermini, M., & Moretti, M. (2012). Management pressure drives leafhopper communities in vineyards in southern Switzerland. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 5(1), 75–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsagkarakis, A. E., Afentoulis, D. G., Matared, M., Thanou, Z. N., Stamatakou, G. D., Kalaitsaki, A. P., Tzobanoglou, D. K., Goumas, D., Trantas, E., Zarboutis, I., & Perdikis, D. C. (2018). Identification and seasonal abundance of Auchenorrhyncha with a focus on potential insect vectors of Xylella fastidiosa in olive orchards in three regions of Greece. Journal of Economic Entomology, 111, 2536–2545. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy239.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Waloff, N. (1980). Studies on grassland leafhoppers (Auchenorrhyncha, Homoptera) and their natural enemies. Advances in Ecol. Reasearch, 11, 81–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Way, M. J., & Cammell, M. E. (1981). Effects of weeds and weed control on invertebrate pest ecology. In J. M. Thresh (Ed.), Pests, pathogens and vegetation: The role of weeds and wild plants in the ecology of crop pests and diseases (pp. 443–458). London: Pitman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weaver, C. R., & King, D. R. (1954). Meadow spittlebug, Philaenus leucophthalmus (L.). Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station Research Bulletin, 741, 1–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb, M. D. (1980). The Cicadellidae from Aldabra, Astove and Cosmoledo atolls collected by the Royal Society expedition 1967-68 (Hemiptera, Homoptera). Journal of Natural History, 14, 829–863.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitcomb, R. F., M. E.Coan, S. Kramer, & H. H. Ross. (1973). Host relationships of cicadellids in the grassland biome. 1st international congress of systematics and evolutionary biology, Boulder, Colorado.

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Prof. Dr. Petros Roussos and Mr. Stathis Ntanos, PhD candidate (Laboratory of Pomology, Agricultural University of Athens), for their crucial help in the orchard management, as well as Mrs. Marianthi Karadima for the language revision of the manuscript.

Code availability

(Not applicable)

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos str, 118 55, Athens, Greece

    Z. N. Thanou, E. G. Kontogiannis & Antonios E. Tsagkarakis

Authors
  1. Z. N. Thanou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. G. Kontogiannis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Antonios E. Tsagkarakis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Z. Thanou: Conceptualization, Investigation, Resources, Project administration, Writing – Review and Editing. E. Kontogiannis: Investigation, Resources. A. Tsagkarakis: Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal Analysis, Supervision, Writing – Review and Editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antonios E. Tsagkarakis.

Ethics declarations

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethics approval

Authors declare that they comply with the ethical standards and they refrain from misrepresenting research results which could damage the trust in the journal, the professionalism of scientific authorship, and ultimately the entire scientific endeavor. Maintaining integrity of the research and its presentation is helped by following the rules of good scientific practice.

Consent to participate

The authors grant all the consents to participate the manuscript review procedure

Consent for publication

The authors grant all the consents to publish the manuscript

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Thanou, Z.N., Kontogiannis, E.G. & Tsagkarakis, A.E. Impact of weeds on Auchenorrhyncha incidence and species richness in citrus orchards. Phytoparasitica 49, 333–347 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-020-00857-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-020-00857-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation