Seasonal distribution of Philaenus spumarius and Neophilaenus campestris in Apulian olives groves

A two years investigation was performed in Apulia region to study the population in olive groves of Philaenus spumarius and Neophilaenus campestris, the vector and the putative vector of Xylellafastidiosa, respectively. Adults of these two species were monthly collected from ground vegetation and olive canopy in four severely infected olive groves. This study showed that adults of both species were present from May to December. During this period abundance of P. spumarius was constantly increasing to reach its peak in September with no significant difference between ground and canopy levels. Conversely, the pick of population of N. campestris was noticed in May-June with a significant decrease until December due to the absence of grassland. However, the latter was greatly preferred by N. campestris with respect to the olive canopy. Our findings confirm that weed control in olive groves during Spring could reduce the population of both species. Interestingly, this study shows that treatments against adults of P. spumarius should be applied at canopy level during Summer months.