Entomopathogenic strains as biological tool in the containment of Philaenus spumarius, the main vector of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe

Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca sequence type (ST)53 was identified as the causal agent of the olive quick decline syndrome in Apulia (South Italy). The xylem-sap feeder spittlebug Philaenus spumarius is a key vector of the bacterium in Europe. In this study, a selection of entomopathogenic fungi was carried out, in controlled conditions, to detect the most active strains in P. spumarius nymph control. Six Metarhizium sp. strains reduced the average nymph survival rate under 8 % and Metarhizium anisopliae CnV2i strain was reisolated from cadavers with the highest value of 100 %