MONITORING THE POPULATION OF THE AMERICAN LEAFHOPPER (Scaphoideus titanus Ball) IN THE TERRITORY OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF ŽEPČE, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Abstract

The American leafhopper (Scaphoideus titanus) is a natural vector of Flavescence dorée phytoplasma. This leafhopper feeds on the plant by sucking, where it introduces phytoplasma into its organism, which it later transfers to healthy plants in the vineyard. The main way to prevent the spread of phytoplasma is to control the vector, and therefore it is necessary to know its ecology and biology. Currently, there is no data on the distribution of the American leafhopper in the area of central Bosnia, so the aim of this research was to determine the presence and population size of this vector. Four different vineyards were included in this research. The population of the vector was monitored with yellow sticky traps from July to September 2022. A total of 579 adults were caught in all vineyards, and statistically significant differences were found between locations. Good agricultural practice can reduce the population of the vector to a minimum, and currently there are no symptoms of grapevine yellows in the area of the municipality of Žepče.