Role of Cacopsylla pyri in the epidemiology of pear decline in Spain

The frequency of pear decline-positive insects and transmission of pear decline (PD) phytoplasma by Cacopsylla pyri in Spain has been studied. Psyllids were used for experiments on phytoplasma transmission both to healthy Pyrus communis trees and to an artificial feeding medium. Over a period of 1 year, about 100 psyllids were collected monthly from pear trees, cv. Williams, using the beating tray method, and tested for the presence of PD phytoplasma. Results indicate that the frequency of PD positive psyllids changes through the year and that C. pyri transmits the pear decline associated disease agent. Phytoplasma transmission was also effective under laboratory conditions using a feeding medium. The relationship between PD positive Cacopsylla pyri, Pear decline phytoplasma transmission and the sex of the vector was also evaluated. Although the percentage of PD positive psyllids was similar in both genders, PD phytoplasma transmission by females was significantly higher than by males. Since the sex ratio (male/female) was less than 1:1 for most of the year, these results should be taken into consideration for controlling Pear decline in Mediterranean climates.