From Nucleotides to Satellite Imagery: Approaches to Identify and Manage the Invasive Pathogen Xylella fastidiosa and Its Insect Vectors in Europe

Francesca Raffini, Giorgio Bertorelle, Roberto Biello, Guido D’Urso, Danilo Russo and Luciano Bosso
Additional contact information
Francesca Raffini: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, via Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Giorgio Bertorelle: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, via Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Roberto Biello: Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
Guido D’Urso: Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Università n. 100, 80055 Portici, Napoli, Italy
Danilo Russo: Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Università n. 100, 80055 Portici, Napoli, Italy
Luciano Bosso: Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Università n. 100, 80055 Portici, Napoli, Italy

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 11, 1-38

Abstract: Biological invasions represent some of the most severe threats to local communities and ecosystems. Among invasive species, the vector-borne pathogen Xylella fastidiosa is responsible for a wide variety of plant diseases and has profound environmental, social and economic impacts. Once restricted to the Americas, it has recently invaded Europe, where multiple dramatic outbreaks have highlighted critical challenges for its management. Here, we review the most recent advances on the identification, distribution and management of X. fastidiosa and its insect vectors in Europe through genetic and spatial ecology methodologies. We underline the most important theoretical and technological gaps that remain to be bridged. Challenges and future research directions are discussed in the light of improving our understanding of this invasive species, its vectors and host–pathogen interactions. We highlight the need of including different, complimentary outlooks in integrated frameworks to substantially improve our knowledge on invasive processes and optimize resources allocation. We provide an overview of genetic, spatial ecology and integrated approaches that will aid successful and sustainable management of one of the most dangerous threats to European agriculture and ecosystems.

Keywords: ecological niche model; epidemiology; genetic diversity; genomic; GIS; insect vector; remote sensing; spatially explicit model; whole genome sequencing; Xylella fastidiosa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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