Leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) are a genus of phytophageous insects that feed on sap from many species of plants, including economically important row and tree crops. While direct damage from feeding can reduce plant vigor and crop yield, the role of leafhoppers in transmitting bacterial, viral, and phytoplasma diseases is often of greater concern in agricultural systems. In vineyards, different species of leafhoppers vector several damaging grapevine pathogens: for example, the glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis) and blue-green sharpshooter (Graphocephala atropunctata) act as vectors for the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which causes the fatal Pierce’s Disease; the American grapevine leafhopper (Scaphoideus titanus) transmits the phytoplasma disease flavescence dorée, which results in leaf yellowing, reduced productivity, and potential vine death; and the alfalfa leafhopper (Spissistilus festinus) and Virginia creeper leafhopper (Erythroneura ziczac) can carry the grapevine red blotch-associated virus that causes leaf discoloration and reduced fruit and wine quality. Many leafhoppers that feed on grapevines have been transported beyond their native range; North American leafhoppers such as S. titanus have been introduced to vineyards in Europe, and H. vitripennis have spread from the southeastern United States to wine-producing regions of California.
Left: Grape leaf with symptoms of Pierce’s disease. H. vitripennis and other leafhoppers are vectors of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa that causes this fatal infection. PC: Jack Kelly Clark. Right: Leaf yellowing associated with flavescence dorée, a phytoplasma (intracellular plant parasite) disease transmitted by insects such as S. titanus. PC: Josef Klement.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide powerful tools for developing spatially-informed strategies for mitigating the spread of diseases and invasive species but have, thus far, been used relatively infrequently in managing leafhoppers (and associated plant diseases) in vineyards. This bibliography summarizes sources relevant to the application of GIS techniques to this problem, with a focus on sustainable Integrated Pest Management strategies.
Photo credits for header (left to right): Glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis), Rodrigo Krugner; American grapevine leafhopper (Scaphoideus titanus), lab of Fondazione Edmund; Grape leafhopper (Erythroneura spp.), Rufus Isaacs; Virginia creeper leafhopper (Erythroneura ziczac), UC ANR.
