Impact of a screen barrier on dispersion behavior of Homalodisca coagulata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae).

The recent incursion of the sharpshooter Homalodisca coagulata (Say) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a vector of the plant pathogenic bacterium Xylellafastidiosa, into southern California has caused new epidemics of plant diseases. The potential of H. coagulata to spread throughout the state and disseminate disease has encouraged the development of techniques to limit further spread of the vector and to manage disease epidemics where the insect already exists. We evaluated a unique tactic to curtail the immigration of H. coagulata into high-value crops, including nursery stock, where they can be spread via commercial transportation throughout the state and into disease-susceptible vineyards. This tactic consists of a 5-m-high screen barrier surrounding the crop that is impenetrable to H. coagulata. We examined H. coagulata orientation and flight direction when placed near or on the screen barrier, and determined the proportion of insects that flew over it. When released midway between a barrier and adjacent vegetation 71.5% of H. coagulata flew away from the barrier and in the direction of the vegetation; whereas 29.5% flew in the direction of the barrier. Of the total number of H. coagulata released, 7.5% flew over the barrier. When placed on the barrier, H. coagulata generally climbed up an average of 1.16 m before flying away from the structure. Of the total number of H. coagulata placed on the barrier, 6% flew over it. These results suggest that a screen barrier can be a part of a management strategy to reduce number of H. coagulata in high-value crops.

Dispersion of Homalodisca coagulata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a vector of Xylella fastidiosa, into vineyards in southern California.

Recent epidemics of Pierce's disease of grapevine in California vectored by Homalodisca coagulata (Say), an invasive vector species, have characteristics that differ from epidemics involving native vectors. Among these differences are the longer distances and greater speed that the disease is spread by H. coagulata. In this investigation, we used yellow sticky traps to study the seasonal dispersion activity of H. coagulata in a southern California grape-growing area in which an epidemic of Pierce's disease has caused large losses. For 21 mo, we monitored adult H. coagulata at the edges of vineyards bordering citrus, an important crop host, natural coastal sage scrub vegetation, and natural riparian vegetation. We also monitored H. coagulata dispersion from 0 to 40 m into vineyards. Finally, we examined the vertical dispersion of H. coagulata adults into grapevines through a season. This investigation showed that H. coagulata is associated with citrus, from where it disperses deep into vineyards, and not just the vineyard edge as with Pierce's disease vectors that are native to California. Peak dispersion into vineyards occurred in the summer. Another period of H. coagulata activity occurred in the winter in vineyards bordering citrus. Through the period of peak flight activity, 97% of all H. coagulata adults trapped between 1 and 7 m were caught at an altitude of 5 m or lower, suggesting the potential of a barrier as a management tactic to keep H. coagulata out of vineyards.