We are therefore carrying out a monitoring programme in collaboration with the Chambers of Agriculture and the provincial plant protection services to track the current spread of the pest in Austria.
In Austria, the first nymphs begin to hatch from around the last week of May. Hatching is influenced by the weather, geographical location and altitude of the vineyards and lasts several weeks, meaning that different stages of development occur simultaneously. The young nymphs are often found on the underside of leaves at the base of the vines. After a total of five nymphal stages, the adult, flight-capable cicadas emerge in July.
Newly hatched larvae of the American grapevine cicada are always free of Flavescence dorée. The greatest risk regarding the spread of Flavescence dorée comes from the adult cicadas: if they feed on an infected vine, they ingest the pathogen and can transmit it to healthy vines after three to four weeks.
To prevent the larvae from becoming infected with Flavescence dorée, it is advisable to use suitable plant protection products from the third larval stage onwards (list of plant protection products authorised in Austria). It should be noted that the larvae hatch over a period of several weeks. A second treatment of the later-hatched larvae may be necessary. In principle, vector control should always be based on the findings from monitoring and the recommendations of the relevant provincial plant protection service and the Chamber of Agriculture.
The latest information on monitoring the American grapevine leafhopper can be accessed via the Vine Protection Service or insect-watch.
Further information: