First report of Scaphoideus titanus in Ukraine
Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae - main vector of flavescence dorée) is reported for the first time from Ukraine. At the end of summer 2017, the first specimens were caught on yellow sticky traps located in a vineyard (1.5 ha) in Storozhnytsia, a village 5 km south-west of Uzhhorod (Zakarpattia oblast). In addition, more insect specimens were collected by beating grass plants in vineyard row spacings in Mala Hora (near Berehovo, Zakarpattia oblast). During these studies, 71 specimens of S. titanus were collected. As the infested locations are close to areas in Slovakia and Hungary where S. titanus occurs, it is suspected that the insect has spread from there into Ukraine. It is concluded that, as S. titanus is the main vector of flavescence dorée (not known to occur in Ukraine), more studies should be carried out in Ukraine to better determine the distribution and population dynamics of this leafhopper in Ukraine.
Sources
Mirutenko V, Jansky V, Margitay V (2018) First records of Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae) in Ukraine. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 48(1)167-168.