Gone-wild grapevines in forests may act as a potential habitat for “Flavescence dorée” phytoplasma vectors and inoculum

Dataset used to test the potential role of gone-wild grapevines (GWGV) in forests of Southern Switzerland as a source of Flavescence dorée phytoplasma (FDp) inoculum and as a habitat for its main and alternative vectors, <i>Scaphoideus titanus</i> and <i>Orientus ishidae</i>. In the first phase, GWGV were located and sampled to test their FDp status. In addition, a set of chromotropic traps were placed to monitor the presence and abundance of FDp vectors. In the second phase, wood from GWGV in forests was collected and placed in cages to test the potential oviposition activity by FDp vectors. The results showed that GWGV in forests are a reservoir of FDp and that they can sustain the whole life cycle of both <i>S.titanus</i> and <i>O.ishidae</i>. Eventually, the need to adapt the current FD management strategies are highlighted.