Abstract (inglese)

The green leafhopper Empoasca vitis Goethe (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) is an important pest of grapes in Europe. Its feeding activity may cause a reduction in photosynthesis, mesophyll conductance and transpiration rate with implication for yields. For these reasons insecticides are widely used to
control this pest with potential effects on beneficial arthropods. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of a number of insecticides (chlorpyriphos, flufenoxuron, thiamethoxam, and indoxacarb) on E. vitis populations. Pesticide side-effects on the predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri were assessed. Thiamethoxam was the most effective towards E. vitis. Pest population levels were slightly reduced by chlorpyriphos, suggesting that this strain was resistant to organophosphates. Indoxacarb and flufenoxuron were associated to intermediate effects. The predatory mite populations were affected especially by thiamethoxam.