Push and pull strategy to reduce hyalesthes obsoletus population in vineyards by vitex agnus castus as trap plant

In Israel, Vitex agnus castus (VAC) is the preferred host plant of Hyalesthes obsoletus, the vector of stolbur phytoplasma to grapevines. In this work, small potted VAC plants caged in insect-proof nets were placed around vineyards. H obsoletus specimens were successfully and significantly lured at distances of 50 to more then 400 m from the vineyards as compared to those attracted to potted vines. When the potted VAC plants were placed 5 meters from the vineyard edge, H. obsoletus population in adjacent vineyard rows was significantly reduced to less then half of that in control rows (0.04 and 0.09 /trap/day respectively). The use of VAC plants to reduce H. obsoletus population in vineyards with the hope of reducing Stolbur phytoplasma incidences is suggested.