Is Draeculacephala robinsoni a new threat to European agriculture? A review on the genus Draeculacephala with special focus on their role as vectors of Xylella fastidiosa

Abstract

The recent introduction in Europe of Draeculacephala robinsoni Hamilton (1967), an alien likely vector of Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) native to North America, possibly poses a serious threat to European agriculture. Draeculacephala robinsoni role in bacterium spread has never been investigated. However, knowledge produced on other Draeculacephala species as D. minerva, one of the most relevant Xf vector in North America, can help understanding where future research efforts should be addressed, and which are the ecosystems most at risk. The species was first detected in 2021 on grasses in northeastern Spain and southern France. The first record prompted a large-scale survey in areas surrounding the first outbreak, leading to the collection of the sharpshooter on perennial ryegrass, rice, oats, and other Poaceae from Girona (Spain), to Montpellier (France). The aim of this review is to provide an updated picture on the systematics, biology, ecology, ethology, host range, and the possible role of D. robinsoni in the epidemiology of Xf-related diseases across the Mediterranean region leveraging knowledge produced on other Draeculacephala species. Furthermore, latest data on the sharpshooter’s biology, probing behaviour on different plant species, and population dynamics in the infested regions in Europe are reported.