Carrot (Daucus carota L.) as Host for Pentastiridius leporinus and Phloem-Restricted Pathogens in Germany

<i>Pentastiridius leporinus</i> (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Cixiidae) is considered the main vector of three phloem-restricted pathogens, γ-proteobacteria '<i>Candidatus</i> Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus', '<i>Candidatus</i> Phytoplasma solani' (Stolbur phytoplasma), and 16SrXII-P phytoplasma, which infect two economically important crops, sugar beet and potato. In this study, four pop-up tents (1 m²) were set up in a carrot (<i>Daucus carota</i> L.) field located in Bingen on the Rhine to determine whether egg laying, development of nymphs, and infection is possible on this vegetable. We further show that the planthopper <i>P. leporinus</i> can complete significant parts of its life cycle on carrots in the field, suggesting that it has expanded its host range to this crop in addition to sugar beet and potato. In addition, this study shows that <i>P. leporinus</i> is able to transmit phloem-restricted pathogens to carrots.