# Natural Products for the Control of Scaphoideus titanus in Vineyards: A Summary of Five-Year Field Trials

## TL;DR

A five-year study tested natural insecticides for controlling Scaphoideus titanus in vineyards, finding pyrethrins most effective while suggesting integrated approaches for sustainable pest management.

## Contribution

The study provides field trial data on natural insecticides for S. titanus control, supporting integrated pest management in organic and conventional vineyards.

## Key findings

- Pyrethrins were consistently the most effective in reducing S. titanus nymph densities.
- Kaolin provided stable intermediate control across five years.
- Beauveria bassiana showed moderate but variable efficacy.

## Abstract

Scaphoideus titanus, vector of the Flavescence dorée phytoplasma (FDp), is difficult to control in organic vineyards where permitted natural insecticides often show limited efficacy and require careful spray preparation. Because synthetic insecticides used in Italy belong mainly to only two IRAC groups, resistance risk increases and alternative/complementary tools are needed. Across five field trials (2021–2025) testing pyrethrins, kaolin, azadirachtin, Beauveria bassiana, and potassium soap, pre-treatment nymph densities were similar among treatments, but differences appeared after spraying. Pyrethrins were consistently the most effective. Kaolin provided intermediate but stable control across the years, while B. bassiana showed moderate and highly variable performance. Results support integrated programs in organic viticulture: this involves using pyrethrins as the core tool and combining them with complementary, lower-impact options to improve sustainability over time. These alternatives can also be incorporated into IPM in conventional vineyards to reduce selection pressure and help prevent resistance.

Scaphoideus titanus Ball, 1932 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), the main vector of the phytoplasma (FDp) causing Flavescence dorée, is considered a challenging problem in European vineyards. Natural insecticides permitted for S. titanus control in Italian organic viticulture are generally considered of low-to-moderate efficacy. Morever, it should be mentioned that their optimal use requires a careful approach when preparing the insecticide solutions. Synthetic insecticides used in Italian viticulture are included in only two IRAC groups, indicating potential risks for resistance. Therefore, there is a need to identify alternatives or control tools complementary to synthetic insecticides. In this study, we summarize the results obtained in five field experiments (2021–2025) using the main alternatives to synthetic insecticides (i.e., pyrethrins, kaolin, azadirachtin, Beauveria bassiana, and potassium salts of fatty acids). In all seasons, pre-insecticide application populations did not differ significantly among treatments, whereas differences emerged after insecticide applications. The overall results showed that pyrethrin-based insecticides were the most effective in reducing S. titanus nymph densities. Kaolin provided intermediate but comparatively stable levels of control across the years, whereas B. bassiana showed moderate yet highly variable efficacy. The findings obtained here can be considered in designing management strategies for S. titanus in organic viticulture that require an integrated approach combining pyrethrins with complementary, lower-impact tools to achieve effective and sustainable control over time. At the same time, natural insecticides can be incorporated into IPM strategies in conventional vineyards to prevent resistance.