Targeting the Xylella fastidiosa spittlebug vector Neophilaenus campestris in the olive cover crops with the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum

The fungus was detected in the soil and endophytically in the natural cover throughout the 8 days monitoring period, in which the fungal treatment significantly reduced both the nymph and the adult populations. Notably, the efficacy of the fungal treatment was 100.0% and 85.0% for foams and adults in 2023, and 62.5% and 72.0% for foams and adults in 2024, respectively. Results indicate a significant reduction in the population density of both vector developmental stages, highlighting the potential of this fungal strain for managing <i>X. fastidiosa</i> vectors in olive cover crops.