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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Davis, California » Crops Pathology and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #353842
Research Project: Integrated Disease Management Strategies for Woody Perennial Species

Location: Crops Pathology and Genetics Research

Title: Feeding and reproductive hosts of Spissistilus festinus (Say) (Hemiptera: Membracidae) found in Californian vineyards

Author
item PRETO, CINDY - University Of California
item Sudarshana, Mysore
item ZALOM, FRANK - University Of California

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/17/2018
Publication Date: 8/10/2018
Citation: Preto, C.R., Sudarshana, M.R., Zalom, F.G. 2018. Feeding and reproductive hosts of Spissistilus festinus (Say) (Hemiptera: Membracidae) found in Californian vineyards. Journal of Economic Entomology. 111(6), 2531-2535. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy236.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy236

Interpretive Summary: Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) currently poses a serious threat to the wine industry. The three-cornered alfalfa hopper (3CAH), Spissistilus festinus (Say) (Hemiptera: Membracidae), a pest of soybeans, peanuts, and alfalfa in the southern United States, was recently shown to be a vector of Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) in a greenhouse study. Feeding and reproductive status of ten weed and ten cover crop species commonly found in grape vineyards were evaluated in no-choice tests. Species confirmed as reproductive hosts were subsequently evaluated in choice tests to determine S. festinus oviposition preference. Knowledge of plant species present in vineyards that serve as alternative hosts for S. festinus will be important in developing management strategies to mitigate virus spread.

Technical Abstract: Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) currently poses a serious threat to the wine industry. The three-cornered alfalfa hopper (3CAH), Spissistilus festinus (Say) (Hemiptera: Membracidae), a pest of soybeans, peanuts, and alfalfa in the southern United States, was recently shown to be a vector of Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) in a greenhouse study. Feeding and reproductive status of ten weed and ten cover crop species commonly found in grape vineyards were evaluated in no-choice tests. Species confirmed as reproductive hosts were subsequently evaluated in choice tests to determine S. festinus oviposition preference. Knowledge of plant species present in vineyards that serve as alternative hosts for S. festinus will be important in developing management strategies to mitigate virus spread.