In this study, we tested the effects of mechanical leaf removal, insecticide application, and their interaction on leafhoppers and phytophagous and predatory mites occurring in two vineyards over three growing seasons. Leaf removal was performed in the fruit zone using a two-head pulsed air leaf remover, while insecticides were applied with a tunnel air-assisted sprayer at the maximum dose/ha recommended on the product label. Results demonstrated the efficacy of insecticide application in reducing the population densities of leafhoppers but also their detrimental effects on predatory mites. In a number of case studies, leaf removal reduced leafhopper and predatory mite densities. In one vineyard, phytophagous mite populations increased some weeks after leaf removal and insecticide application, highlighting the need to carefully consider the potential impact of vineyard management practices on non-target arthropods in the IPM framework.

Scaphoideus titanus Ball, 1932 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), the main vector of the phytoplasma (FDp) causing Flavescence dorée, is considered a challenging problem in European vineyards. Natural insecticides permitted for S. titanus control in Italian organic viticulture are generally considered of low-to-moderate efficacy. Morever, it should be mentioned that their optimal use requires a careful approach when preparing the insecticide solutions. Synthetic insecticides used in Italian viticulture are included in only two IRAC groups, indicating potential risks for resistance. Therefore, there is a need to identify alternatives or control tools complementary to synthetic insecticides. In this study, we summarize the results obtained in five field experiments (2021–2025) using the main alternatives to synthetic insecticides (i.e., pyrethrins, kaolin, azadirachtin, Beauveria bassiana, and potassium salts of fatty acids). In all seasons, pre-insecticide application populations did not differ significantly among treatments, whereas differences emerged after insecticide applications. The overall results showed that pyrethrin-based insecticides were the most effective in reducing S. titanus nymph densities. Kaolin provided intermediate but comparatively stable levels of control across the years, whereas B. bassiana showed moderate yet highly variable efficacy. The findings obtained here can be considered in designing management strategies for S. titanus in organic viticulture that require an integrated approach combining pyrethrins with complementary, lower-impact tools to achieve effective and sustainable control over time. At the same time, natural insecticides can be incorporated into IPM strategies in conventional vineyards to prevent resistance.

Grapevine breeding has successfully developed mildew-resistant varieties, yet their susceptibility to arthropod pests remains largely unexplored. This review synthesizes current knowledge of arthropod pest interactions with mildew-resistant grapevines and compares them with those of conventional and parental varieties. Only a few studies have reported detailed information on arthropod pest susceptibility, covering 23 resistant varieties tested against seven species/groups, including Daktulosphaira vitifoliae, Lobesia botrana, Drosophila suzukii and eriophyid mites. About half of the available studies focused on berry pests—particularly the invasive D. suzukii—while leaf and root pests received little attention. In several cases, resistant varieties exhibited susceptibility levels comparable to those of their parental varieties, although the limited number of studies makes it difficult to draw clear conclusions. Overall, major knowledge gaps remain, highlighting the need for breeding programs that integrate mildew resistance with improved assessment of arthropod pest susceptibility, without compromising agronomic performance and wine quality.

Temperature can affect the survival, the development, and the phenology of Scaphoideus titanus Ball (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), the vector of Flavescence dorée phytoplasma (FDp). To assess the potential effects of global warming on this vector, three complementary experiments were conducted under controlled conditions. In the first, nymphs were reared under four fluctuating thermal regimes simulating past, present, and future climatic scenarios. Developmental times decreased with higher temperatures, but also survival, adult longevity, and total lifespan declined. Under the “warmest” regime treatment (+ 6 °C above baseline), total nymphal duration decreased by up to 40%, but mortality rose significantly. In the second experiment, adults were exposed for 4 h at 32, 36, and 40 °C. Their mortality increased with temperature, particularly among males. The third experiment, using 1-h exposures to constant temperatures (35–50 °C), confirmed sex-specific differences: females exhibited higher LT ₅₀ (37.5–41 °C) and LT ₉₉ (45–50 °C) values than males, indicating greater thermal tolerance. These results demonstrate that although warming accelerates development, it simultaneously increases mortality, potentially limiting population growth in the warmest vineyard areas while enabling expansion to cooler ones. The inclusion of fluctuating thermal regimes represents a novel approach, providing realistic insights into S. titanus responses to climate change. Findings highlight the importance of incorporating temperature dynamics into predictive and integrated pest management (IPM) models and suggest that vineyard microclimate manipulation through canopy management or trunk barriers could mitigate heat stress and affect vector abundance under future warming scenarios.