This worldwide occurring disease of the vine belongs to the group of yellowing diseases because in the course of the disease, among other things, the leaves change colour. Young vines in warm wine-growing regions are particularly susceptible. The cause is phytoplasmas (bacteria-like microorganisms) of the Stolbur type (hence also Stolbur disease), which are transmitted by cicada species when sucking the phloem in the leading tissue. The main vector is the glass-winged cicada Hyalesthes obsoletus. Between the end of June and the beginning of August, the adult insects come to the surface where, after mating, the females lay eggs on the root neck of the host plant. The most common host plants include field bindweed, nettle and dandelion, from which the phytoplasmas can be transferred by the cicadas to nearby vines.
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Thomas Götz
Weinberater, Weinblogger und Journalist; Schwendi