Reed glass-
The reed glasswing cicada (Pentastiridius leporinus) belongs to the family of glasswing cicadas (Cixiidae) and is notable for its glass-like translucent wings. Originally native to the Mediterranean region, this insect lived on reeds. The host transition from reeds to sugar beet was first observed in France in 1991. The reed glasswing cicada and its nymphs are now polyphagous and are increasingly spreading to other crops in arable and vegetable farming. The insect has become a pest due to its transmission of bacterial pathogens to host plants.
BIOLOGY AND LIFE CYCLE OF THE REED GLASS-WINGED CICADA
Adult cicadas are approximately 5–9 millimetres in size and are brown in colour with transparent wings. They fly from approximately May to September and feed on the sap of their host plants. They reach their peak flight period in June/July. Female cicadas lay their eggs near their host plants. The nymphs hatch in August and remain in the ground until spring, feeding on the roots of plants such as winter wheat.
Nymphs of Pentastiridius leporinus on a sugar beet
ORIGIN AND SPREAD
The reed glass-winged cicada originates from warmer regions of southern Europe, where it was mainly found in wetlands with reed beds and was hardly ever considered a pest. However, rising average temperatures as a result of climate change have allowed the species to spread further north and establish stable populations in Central Europe. At the same time, the intensification of agriculture and the dense cultivation of sugar beet have created ideal conditions for the spread of the cicada. What used to be an insect of riverbanks and wet meadows now uses arable crops as a food source and transmission route, making it a serious threat to sugar beet cultivation.
DAMAGES OF THE REED GLASS-WINGED CICADA
The reed glasswing cicada can transmit two bacterial pathogens by sucking on host plants: Candidatus Phytoplasma solani and Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus. In sugar beets, transmission can lead to Syndrome Basses Richesses (SBR). Symptoms of SBR include wilting and yellowing of the leaves, leaf deformations, rubbery beets and reduced sugar content.
Since 2022, it has been known that these bacterioses can also be transmitted to potatoes. This causes them to suffer from ‘bacterial potato tuber wilt’. The plants show symptoms such as wilting, leaf discolouration and rubbery tubers. Plants can die prematurely and a lower starch content has also been observed.
In addition to sugar beets and potatoes, beetroot, carrots, parsnips, rhubarb and asparagus are also affected. Depending on the weather, this can lead to massive yield losses.
Typical damage pattern in sugar beets
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL WITH NEMATODES
Currently, controlling the reed glasswing cicada is proving very difficult. Intensive research is being conducted to find a solution.
We are also investigating whether entomopathogenic nematodes could be part of a strategy. If you are interested in joint trials, please feel free to contact us.
Further information on the reed glasswing cicada can be found at the Julius-Kühn Institute , among other places.
Contact