Isoclast™ Active as a new tool for controlling Xylella fastidiosa invasion via vector control

Xylella fastidiosa is a quarantine bacterium species invading Europe and recognised as the agent of “Olive Quick Decline Syndrome” (OQDS) disease and which has already killed hundreds of thousands of olive trees in southern Italy. The Palearctic spittlebug Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae,) has been identified as the major vector of this bacterium in Italy being frequently encountered and widely spread in Europe. Juveniles are abundant in spittle on herbs either in natural, agricultural production or urban environments. The spittlebug becomes infective as an adult when it moves to the olive trees during the spring – summer and is exposed to the bacterium within infected trees. Current control measures focus on the mechanical control of juveniles on weeds in early spring and later on the insecticidal application on the olive trees against the mass-spreading adults. The effective and fast control of adult vectors is crucial to prevent or at least mitigate the acquisition of the bacteria and to avoid the subsequent spreading of the infection and eventual damage. Closer (Isoclast in 240 SC formulation) tested in several lab and open field trials effectively controlled Philaenus spumarius. This effect is achieved by a very fast feeding cessation followed by the pest mortality resulting in low bacterial infection, higher yield and a healthier plantation in comparison to the untreated.