Plesiommata mollicella

Plesiommata mollicella is a specialized insect species from the order Hemiptera, belonging to the Cicadellidae family. This pest is a common sap-sucking insect that can cause significant economic losses in agricultural production, particularly within vineyards and orchards, depending on the climatic conditions of the region.

The pest primarily targets grapevines, as well as various wild and cultivated berry shrubs. By feeding on the plant sap, the insect depletes the vegetative biomass, which leads to stunted shoot growth and a marked reduction in crop quality. Mass outbreaks, often occurring during periods of drought, represent a major risk to plant health.

The life cycle consists of several stages: egg, five larval instars, and the adult stage. The pest typically overwinters as an egg or an adult within plant debris, fallen leaves, or the top layer of soil. In the spring, as temperatures rise, the larvae emerge and begin feeding actively on the underside of the leaves.

Damage symptoms include leaf discoloration, the appearance of chlorotic spots, and subsequently, necrotic tissue and premature leaf drop. The disruption of photosynthesis weakens the plant, negatively impacting the development of fruit buds for the following season and reducing the sugar content and marketability of the fruits.

Control measures involve an integrated approach combining agronomic and chemical practices:

• Removal and destruction of weeds in row spacings where the pest population survives.
• Collection and deep incorporation or destruction of fallen leaves during the autumn period.
• Application of systemic or contact-stomach insecticides when the economic threshold of damage is exceeded.
• Deployment of yellow sticky traps to monitor adult population levels and initiate treatments in a timely manner.