(ANSA) - BARI, 09 MAR - Disturbing the "love song" of the puttacchina, the vector insect of Xylella, creating sexual confusion and thus preventing its reproduction, could be the new frontier in the fight against phytopathy that has affected 40% up to now of the region and caused over 1.6 billion damages to the olive-growing heritage of Puglia.
This was announced by Coldiretti Puglia, on the basis of a study within the Xf-Actors project between the University of Trento, Ciheam Bari and the Edmund Mach Foundation of San Michele all'Adige.
Forms of communication between spitting machines were initially investigated using biotremology, an innovative branch of entomology that studies vibrational signals and their effect on insect behavior.
By decoding the signals, it was found that the male emits vibrations as soon as he enters the adult phase in spring, while the female waits for the end of summer to "sing".
This "duet" is essential for the reproduction of the species, because it allows the male to locate the position of the partner, starting from the month of August.
"The study is still ongoing and will certainly lead to essential scientific evidence for the fight against the vector insect" says Savino Muraglia, president of Coldiretti Puglia, recalling that "only in the infected area 183 thousand hectares and 21 million trees are contaminated".
"Research, monitoring, sampling, laboratory analyzes and timely phytosanitary prevention practices are crucial activities, considering that there is still no cure for acteriosis - Muraglia adds - and they remain the only solution to reduce the rate of advancement of the infection".
(HANDLE).