Flavescence Dorée is spread primarily by which vector?

Flavescence Dorée is spread primarily by which vector?

• A. Phylloxera root aphids
• B. Leafhopper insects
• C. Bees
• D. Bacteria in soil

Answer: (B)

Transmission by an insect vector is what this question targets. Flavescence Dorée is caused by a phytoplasma that resides in the grapevine’s phloem, and it moves from vine to vine when a leafhopper feeds. Leafhoppers acquire the phytoplasma from an infected plant and later inoculate healthy plants during feeding, making leafhoppers the primary means of spread. The most important vector in vineyards is a leafhopper species such as Scaphoideus titanus. The other options don’t fit because they don’t transmit this phytoplasma: root aphids like phylloxera damage roots but aren’t vectors for Flavescence Dorée; bees are pollinators and don’t spread this disease; bacteria in soil would imply a soilborne pathogen route, which this disease does not use.

Transmission by an insect vector is what this question targets. Flavescence Dorée is caused by a phytoplasma that resides in the grapevine’s phloem, and it moves from vine to vine when a leafhopper feeds. Leafhoppers acquire the phytoplasma from an infected plant and later inoculate healthy plants during feeding, making leafhoppers the primary means of spread. The most important vector in vineyards is a leafhopper species such as Scaphoideus titanus. The other options don’t fit because they don’t transmit this phytoplasma: root aphids like phylloxera damage roots but aren’t vectors for Flavescence Dorée; bees are pollinators and don’t spread this disease; bacteria in soil would imply a soilborne pathogen route, which this disease does not use.