Molina Rodríguez, José MaríaPérez Guerrero, SergioAvivar Lozano, Laura2025-07-232025-07-232025-05-21Avivar Lozano, L. (2025). Distribution and Bioecology of Auchenorryncha (Hemiptera) in Western Andalusian Agroecosystems, with data for the Control of potential Vectors of Xylella fastidiosa (Wells et al.) (Proteobacteria: Xanthomonadaceae). (Tesis Doctoral Inédita). Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla.https://hdl.handle.net/11441/175623In Andalusia, the suborder Auchenorrhyncha (Hemiptera) has received limited attention. On one hand, it has been the subject of faunistic studies conducted by taxonomists specialized in this group, mostly from Central European countries, attracted to this region recognized as a biodiversity hotspot. On the other hand, other studies have focused on specific species or subgroups due to their relevance in causing damage to agricultural crops. As a result, the available information on Auchenorrhyncha in this area is scarce, scattered, and biased. This study aims to unify and update this knowledge by determining the distribution and composition of Auchenorrhyncha communities in Western Andalusia, as well as their ecological dynamics in crops of high socioeconomic relevance (almond, blueberry, citrus, olive, and grapevine). Special attention is given to species of the family Aphrophoridae due to their potential as vectors of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, addressing the evaluation of the efficacy of biological control agents and the identification of natural predators of these species. The methodology included a review of previous bibliographic records, three years of sampling and monitoring of the Auchenorrhyncha community in woody crops, and the design of laboratory biological control trials. As a result, the first detailed list of Auchenorrhyncha for Western Andalusia was compiled, documenting 186 species belonging to 14 families, including 20 new records for the region. Among them, 33 species are phytopathogen vectors, highlighting the importance of this group for Plant Health. Three cicadellids not previously reported in mainland Europe (Balclutha incisa, Cicadulina bipunctata, and Maiestas angustisecta) were detected, suggesting that the Iberian Peninsula may represent the northern limit of their distribution range. Additionally, the presence of Penthimiola bella, an Afrotropical cicadellid pest of citrus, was recorded, illustrating how global trade and circulation of plant material facilitate the spread of these insects. The study of the structure, composition, and abiotic, local, and landscape factors influencing Auchenorrhyncha communities in the selected crops was conducted between 2019 and 2022, sampling 11 plots in seven localities. Combined methods were used: nymph counts (Aphrophoridae) in herbaceous vegetation at the edges and within crops, and adult (Auchenorrhyncha) captures via suction sampling in herbaceous cover of edges and crop interior, and tree canopies. A total of 94 species from 11 families were identified, including several phytopathogen vectors. Rarefaction curves suggested that greater sampling effort could increase detected richness. Community composition was similar across woody crops with no significant differences. The surrounding landscape, characterized by a higher number of water bodies and a larger area of woody crops, had a significant positive effect on Auchenorrhyncha abundance and richness. Four potential X. fastidiosa vectors were identified within Cercopoidea Leach, 1815: Aphrophora corticea, Cercopis intermedia, Lepyronia coleoptrata, and Neophilaenus lineatus, as well as two confirmed vectors: Neophilaenus campestris and Philaenus spumarius. The latter was found in low densities in olive groves. Nymphs were detected from late January to May, and adults showed peaks in spring and autumn. Edge vegetation was crucial for maintaining these populations, while landscape structure, with a greater presence of woody crops and semi-natural areas, positively influenced the abundance of these vector species. Regarding biological control, the efficacy of the predator Chrysoperla carnea and the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana against N. campestris was evaluated under laboratory conditions. Third-instar larvae of C. carnea exhibited a high predatory capacity on nymphs. The foam generated by the nymphs reduced predation by C. carnea. Adults of N. campestris showed high susceptibility to the B. bassiana strain BbGEp1, characterized by an LC50 of 1.61 × 10⁶ conidia/mL and an LT50 of 3.63 days at 1 × 10⁷ conidia/mL, exceeding the lethality described for other American vectors of X. fastidiosa. These results reinforce the potential of biological control as an alternative to synthetic chemical insecticides. Finally, using metabarcoding techniques, the natural predation of vectors by spiders in olive, citrus, and vineyard crops was investigated. DNA of N. campestris and L. coleoptrata was detected in several spider species, such as Enoplognatha caricis, Thanatus vulgaris and Haplodrassus marcellinus. No evidence of predation on P. spumarius was found. The results highlight the role of spiders as natural control agents, especially in vineyards. Overall, this research provides ecological, taxonomic, and applied information on Auchenorrhyncha communities and their natural enemies, contributing to the development of integrated management strategies that reduce the risk of X. fastidiosa and other pathogen spread, thereby promoting the sustainability of Andalusian agroecosystems.En Andalucía, el suborden Auchenorrhyncha (Hemiptera) ha recibido una atención limitada. Por un lado, ha sido objeto de estudios de faunística llevados a cabo por taxónomos especializados en el grupo. Por otro lado, otros trabajos se han focalizado en especies o subgrupos específicos debido a su relevancia en la producción de daños a los cultivos. Como resultado, la información disponible sobre los Auchenorrhyncha en esta área es escasa, dispersa y sesgada. El presente trabajo busca unificar y actualizar este conocimiento, determinando la distribución y composición de las comunidades de Auchenorrhyncha en Andalucía Occidental, así como su dinámica ecológica en cultivos de interés socioeconómico (almendro, arándano, cítricos, olivo y vid). Además, se presta especial atención a las especies de la familia Aphrophoridae por su papel como vectores de la bacteria Xylella fastidiosa, abordando la evaluación de la eficacia de agentes de control biológico y la identificación de depredadores naturales de dichas especies. La metodología seguida ha cubierto la revisión de registros bibliográficos previos, el muestreo y seguimiento durante tres años de la comunidad de Auchenorrhyncha en cultivos leñosos y el diseño de ensayos de control biológico en laboratorio. Los resultados incluyen el primer listado detallado de Auchenorrhyncha en la región, con 186 especies (20 nuevos registros para Andalucía) y 33 vectores de patógenos. Se detectaron especies no reportadas previamente en Europa continental y en España. El estudio de la estructura, composición y factores abióticos, locales y paisajísticos que influyen en las comunidades de Auchenorrhyncha en los cultivos seleccionados se llevó a cabo entre 2019 y 2022, muestreando 11 parcelas en 7 localidades. Se emplearon métodos combinados: recuentos de ninfas (Aphrophoridae) en vegetación herbácea de bordes e interior de los cultivos, y captura de adultos (Auchenorrhyncha) mediante aspiración en la cobertura herbácea, el interior del cultivo y el dosel arbóreo. Se identificaron 94 especies de 11 familias. La composición de las comunidades resultó similar entre cultivos leñosos sin diferencias significativas, mientras que entre los olivares si hubo diferencias significativas. El paisaje circundante, caracterizado por un mayor número de cuerpos de agua y un mayor número de cultivos leñosos, tuvo un efecto significativo y positivo en la abundancia y riqueza de Auchenorrhyncha. Se identificaron 4 potenciales vectores de X. fastidiosa dentro de Cercopoidea: Aphrophora corticea, Cercopis intermedia, Lepyronia coleoptrata y Neophilaenus lineatus, y 2 vectores confirmados Neophilaenus campestris y Philaenus spumarius. Este último se encontró en bajas densidades. Las ninfas se detectaron desde finales de enero hasta mayo, y los adultos mostraron picos en primavera y otoño. La vegetación de borde fue fundamental para el mantenimiento de estas poblaciones, mientras que la estructura del paisaje, con mayor presencia de cultivos leñosos y zonas seminaturales, influyó positivamente en la abundancia de estas especies vectoras. En cuanto al control biológico, se demostró que el depredador Chrysoperla carnea y el hongo Beauveria bassiana pueden ser una alternativa eficaz para el control de vectores. Además, el análisis mediante metabarcoding reveló que las arañas Enoplognatha caricis, Thanatus vulgaris y Haplodrassus macellinus depredan sobre N. campestris y L. coleoptrata, recalcando su papel como controladores naturales. En conjunto, esta investigación proporciona información ecológica, taxonómica y aplicada sobre las comunidades de Auchenorrhyncha y sus enemigos naturales, contribuyendo al desarrollo de estrategias de manejo integrado que reduzcan el riesgo de dispersión de X. fastidiosa y otros patógenos, favoreciendo así la sostenibilidad de los agroecosistemas andaluces.application/pdf279 p.spaAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesisinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess