American grapevine leafhopper found in Vienna after disease reaches Lower Austria

ORF reported that the American grapevine leafhopper, the main carrier of the highly dangerous golden yellowing disease affecting viticulture, has been found in a vineyard in Vienna. The disease itself has not yet been detected in the city.

The insect was found on August 5 in a vineyard in Stammersdorf. It acquires the pathogen while feeding on an infected vine and can then transmit it to healthy plants.

The disease has already been detected in Styria and Burgenland and was most recently confirmed in Lower Austria. Cases have also been reported in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Symptoms can include noticeably discoloured leaves.

Infected vines die, and the disease cannot be treated directly. Affected plants must therefore be removed quickly. The main aim is to reduce the American grapevine leafhopper population and limit transmission to other plants.

Elmar Feigl, who is responsible for viticulture at the Vienna Chamber of Agriculture, said the insect was expected to reach Vienna and spread widely within the next one to two years. He said the extent of its spread would also depend on how effectively it is controlled in Lower Austria.

Vienna’s winegrowers have been instructed to report both confirmed findings and suspected cases. The Chamber of Agriculture is coordinating with the city, where draft regulations are already being prepared. Feigl expects them to be completed this year.

Lower Austria has required measures against the insect in particularly affected areas since early June. These include insecticide treatments and the removal of vines showing symptoms.