GESMOVE Operational Group: Sustainable management of the green leafhopper pest of the vine through agroecological techniques and a decision support system

R1. Distribution map of green leafhopper species in four wine-growing areas of Spain. A distribution map of green leafhopper species present in four wine-growing areas of Spain will be created. To this end, monthly sampling will be carried out in the plots where the DSS (Digital Soil Sampling) is being implemented between May and September of 2026 and 2027 using an entomological aspirator. The samples will be frozen and sent to ICBIBE (Institute of Biotechnology and Biotechnology of Spain) for molecular analysis, including screening, DNA extraction, and sequence identification, which will be compared with GenBank. This result will allow for precise identification of which species are present in each area, key information for designing more selective control strategies, relating each species to its parasitoids and predators, and improving the effectiveness of sustainable pest management.

R2. Pest Biology Report with the Necessary Elements for Creating the DSS. A comprehensive report on the biology of the green leafhopper will be obtained, containing the information necessary to construct the DSS. This will involve weekly monitoring of adults between April and September using yellow sticky traps, and sampling of immature insects in marked stalks of each plot, counting nymphs, larval stages, and the presence of predators. In addition, damage will be assessed monthly by scanning leaves to determine the percentage of affected area. Furthermore, a laboratory test will be conducted to determine the growing degree days (GDD) required for the development of Jacobiasca lybica and other relevant species. This knowledge will allow for a more precise definition of the pest's dynamics and the periods of greatest risk.

R3. Epidemiological Model of the Green Leaf Mosquito or Different Species. An epidemiological model capable of describing the population dynamics of the green leaf mosquito in the vineyard will be developed and calibrated. This will be done using data obtained on the pest's biology, the species present, and representative meteorological information from the project plots. The model will consider the different developmental stages and generations of the pest, incorporating non-linear, temperature-dependent relationships. If significant differences between species are detected, specific models will be adapted for each one. Subsequently, the model simulations will be compared with real-world data obtained in the field to validate its predictive capacity. This result will provide the necessary technical basis for the development of the DSS (Data Stabilization System) and for better anticipating pest outbreaks.

R4. DSS Platform that will integrate the epidemiological model and predict the behavior of the green leafhopper in vineyards, assisting winegrowers in its sustainable management. Once the epidemiological model is validated, it will be integrated into a DSS platform that will predict the behavior of the green leafhopper in vineyards and assist winegrowers in decision-making. The tool will display the expected population dynamics of the pest and facilitate the planning of monitoring and the optimal timing of intervention, a key aspect given the low efficacy of many curative treatments. In addition, the platform will include information on authorized products against the green leafhopper and a feature to record interventions carried out in each plot. It will also incorporate variables related to cultural practices, neighboring crops, and biodiversity management. The result will be a practical, preventative, and high-value tool for more effective and sustainable management.

R5. Report on the effect of soil management, tillage versus cover crops, both sown and spontaneous, on the green leafhopper and its natural enemies. The effect of soil management on the green leafhopper and its natural enemies will be evaluated by comparing tillage, spontaneous cover crops, and sown cover crops in Catalonia, and spontaneous cover crops versus sown cover crops in Galicia. In the first phase, the plant species best adapted to each area will be selected and subsequently planted in the autumn of 2026. During the 2027 and 2028 growing seasons, their effect on the pest and on beneficial insects, especially parasitoids, will be analyzed using sticky traps placed both in the cover crops and in the vineyard, with bi-weekly monitoring. The degree of establishment of the cover crops will also be evaluated. This result will reveal whether the cover crops promote biological control or, conversely, may act as a reservoir for the pest.

R6. Report on the effect of generalist predators on the biological control of the green leafhopper. The capacity of generalist predators to reinforce the biological control of the green leafhopper in organic vineyards in Catalonia and Valencia will be analyzed. First, the predator species with the greatest potential will be selected, and a rearing methodology will be developed for their subsequent release in the field during the spring and summer of 2027 and 2028. In each area, a treated plot will be compared with a control plot, physically separated to avoid interference. Monitoring will include yellow sticky traps for adults, sampling of nymphs and predators on marked vines, and damage assessment before harvest using leaf scanning. This report will allow us to evaluate whether the introduction of predators can become an effective, viable, and complementary strategy for the sustainable management of the pest.

R7. Comparative report of the different types of kaolin available on the market, analysis of basic characteristics, and report of the results of the effect of different kaolin application strategies in vineyards with high and low incidence of green leafhopper. Different types of kaolin available on the market will be compared, and application strategies will be evaluated in vineyards with high and low incidence of green leafhopper. In the first phase, the composition of two commercial kaolins and one kaolin from a quarry will be analyzed, and trials will be carried out in a vineyard of Bodegas Enguera to detect possible differences in performance. Subsequently, application strategies adapted to plots with different pest pressure will be defined, using a turbo-atomizer in experimental blocks in Castilla-La Mancha and Catalonia. Before the harvest, the effect on damage will be evaluated through sampling and leaf scanning. This result will allow the identification of the most suitable type of kaolin, optimization of its use, and assessment of whether its effectiveness varies according to the species of green leafhopper present.

RD1. Maximum and effective dissemination and communication of project information to keep the target audience and society in general informed, generating interest in these initiatives and their replication in other autonomous communities. A comprehensive communication and outreach plan will be implemented to keep the target audiences and society in general informed about the project, spark interest in its solutions, and encourage its replication in other Spanish regions. Coordinated by FEUGA, the plan will combine virtual, in-person, and hybrid formats at the regional, national, and European levels. Activities will include a project website in Spanish and English, social media presence, a launch webinar, press releases, interviews, videos, brochures, infographics, posters, presentations, and informative articles in general and specialized media. The objective is to ensure clear, continuous, and engaging communication about the project's objectives, progress, and expected benefits for winegrowers, cooperatives, government agencies, researchers, the wine sector, and society in general.

RD2. Maximize the implementation/transfer of the developed solutions within the sector(s) and achieve maximum dissemination and impact of the project results among end users. A specific transfer plan will be developed to maximize the adoption of the project solutions by end users and increase the impact of the results in the wine sector. Coordinated by FEUGA with the support of the consortium, this activity will focus on practical and technical dissemination tools aimed at winegrowers, cooperatives, consultants, public administrations, researchers, and other relevant stakeholders. The main actions will include demonstration workshops in Galicia, Catalonia, and Castilla-La Mancha; technical videos; audiovisual presentations; technical posters; innovation fact sheets; technical articles; participation in trade fairs and conferences; updates to the EU-FarmBook platform; a hybrid technical event; and a final results day. The objective is to transform the knowledge generated into a real-world practical application and facilitate its effective implementation in the vineyard.