. La moria del pero e i suoi insetti vettori: indagini di campo e di laboratorio.

PEAR DECLINE AND ITS VECTORS: FIELD AND LABORATORY STUDIES Pear decline (PD) is a widespread disease in Emilia Romagna orchards. Considering the poor knowledge of its epidemiology in the field, a two year study was carried out in order to monitor the disease behaviours in symptomatic and asymptomatic pear plants in the different phenotypic phases. Part of the surveyed plants were covered with insect proof nets in order to monitor the disease in the absence of insect vectors. In parallel, the insect vector populations were monitored in the surveyed orchards by yellow sticky traps. The study of symptomatology progression and its correspondence with PD phytoplasma presence together with PD phytoplasma detection in captured insect vectors was carried out by means of molecular detection methods.