Sustainable strategies such as classical or augmentative biological control are currently being evaluated for the long-term management of the alien invasive pest Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). A three-year study carried out in northeastern Italy was performed to investigate the distribution and field performance of the H. halys egg parasitoid Trissolcus mitsukurii (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), in comparison with other parasitoid species. In the study area, adventive populations of T. mitsukurii were present since 2016, representing the earliest detection of this species in Europe. Trissolcus mitsukurii was the most abundant parasitoid and showed a higher “parasitoid impact” (i.e., number of parasitized eggs over the total number of field-collected eggs) compared to the other species, i.e., Anastatus bifasciatus (Geoffroy) (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) and Trissolcus kozlovi Rjachovskij (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). The hyperparasitoid Acroclisoides sinicus (Huang and Liao) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) was also recorded. Phylogenetic analysis of T. mitsukurii population distinguished two clades, one covering samples from Italy, Japan and China, the other from South Korea. The present study provides promising results for the biological control of a pest that is having a dramatic impact on a wide range of crops worldwide.

Knowledge on side effects of pesticides on non-target beneficial arthropods is a key point in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Here we present the results of four experiments conducted in vineyards where the effects of chlorpyrifos, thiamethoxam, indoxacarb, flufenoxuron, and tebufenozide were evaluated on the generalist predatory mites Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten and Amblyseius andersoni (Chant), key biocontrol agents of herbivorous mites on grapevines. Results show that indoxacarb and tebufenozide had a low impact on the predatory mites considered here, while a significant impact was observed for chlorpyrifos, flufenoxuron, and thiamethoxam. The information obtained here should be considered in the design of IPM strategies on grapevine.

The Nearctic leafhopper Erasmoneura vulnerata (Fitch), detected in Europe for the first time (north-eastern Italy) in 2004, has remained a minor pest of grapevine for more than 10 years. The first outbreaks of E. vulnerata were reported in 2016 in commercial vineyards located in north-eastern Italy. High population densities and severe leaf symptoms (i.e., leaf discoloration and fall) were observed in late summer despite the application of insecticides. Investigations were carried out from 2017 to 2019 in 10 vineyards located in Veneto region (Vicenza and Verona provinces) to shed light on the seasonal abundance of E. vulnerata on different Vitis vinifera cultivars. Pest phenology was studied in six vineyards where the impact of insecticides was minimal. Erasmoneura vulnerata completed three generations in each of the growing seasons. Vineyard colonization by overwintered adults showed a clear edge effect, suggesting the influence of overwintering sites (e.g., rural buildings and hedgerows) in vineyard margins. The impact of natural enemies on pest populations appeared to be limited and mostly related to egg parasitoids. Organic vineyards were more heavily infested by E. vulnerata compared to conventional vineyards, likely due to the minimal efficacy of natural insecticides typically used in the former farms.

The American leafhopper Erasmoneura vulnerata, detected in Europe in the early 2000s, has recently become a pest in North-Italian vineyards. Infestations were recorded in organic and conventional vineyards despite the application of insecticides targeting other pests. Erasmoneura vulnerata completes three generations per year, and the second generation is frequently associated with large populations. The selection of appropriate active ingredients and the timing of their application is crucial for effective pest control. Field trials were carried out in Northeastern Italy, using a randomized design, to evaluate the impact of insecticides applied against other grapevine leafhoppers on E. vulnerata populations. The beginning of the second generation was selected as the best time for insecticide application. For natural products, two applications were planned. Among the selected insecticides, the most effective were acetamiprid, flupyradifurone and lambda-cyhalothrin. Regarding natural products, the most effective was kaolin which could represent an alternative to pyrethrins in organic vineyards. The identification of pest threshold levels and the evaluation of side effects of the most effective insecticides on key natural enemies occurring in vineyards are required.