Intruding into a conversation: how behavioral manipulation could support management of Xylella fastidiosa and its insect vectors

Behavioral manipulation (BM) is a multimodal control approach based on the interference with the stimuli mediating insect perception and interaction with the surroundings. BM could represent a win-win strategy for the management of vector-borne plant pathogens as the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, since it could reduce the number of vectors alighting on host plants and, consequently, the chances for transmission to occur. In this review, we summarized current knowledge and highlighted gaps in information on (i) how insect vectors of X. fastidiosa in general, and more specifically the meadow spittlebug Philaenus spumarius, locate and accept the host plant; and (ii) how behavioral manipulation techniques could be applied to disrupt the vector-host plant interaction. Finally, we discussed how diverse BM strategies could be combined with other integrated pest management tools to protect olive groves from inoculation with the fastidious bacterium.

Automated summary

Behavioral manipulation is a control method that interferes with insect perception and interaction with the environment. It can be a win-win strategy for managing vector-borne plant pathogens, such as Xylella fastidiosa, by reducing the number of vectors alighting on host plants and lowering the chances of transmission. This review summarizes current knowledge on how insect vectors locate and accept host plants, specifically focusing on the meadow spittlebug Philaenus spumarius, and how behavioral manipulation techniques can disrupt the vector-host plant interaction. Furthermore, the combination of diverse behavioral manipulation strategies with integrated pest management tools is discussed as a means to protect olive groves from the fastidious bacterium.