Xylella, froghoppers and spittlebugs
by Chris, 29 June, 2019, 9 comments
What is Xylella? Xylella is a bacterial disease (Xylella fastidiosa) that threatens many different and unrelated species of plant. It has come to prominence in recent years as it has devastated many olive groves [Olive quick decline syndrome (OQDS)] in Southern Italy. The bacterium has spread to other countries in the EU, including parts of France and Spain. ***
The bacterium can affect many different species of plants, causing a variety of diseases - for example, bacterial leaf scorch, coffee leaf scorch (CLS), oleander leaf scorch, phony peach disease, Pierce's disease of grapes (PD) and citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) (which is of significant economic importance). Some plants can act as ‘carriers’, being infected with the bacterium but showing no obvious symptoms. This can contribute to the spread of the pathogen. Read more...
