ISHS Acta Horticulturae 338: VI International Workshop on Fireblight
MIGRATORY BIRDS: ASSESSMENT OF THEIR ORIGIN AS POTENTIAL VECTORS OF ERWINIA AMYLOVORA IN ITALY |
| Authors: | F. Spina, L. Bendini, C. Bazzi, M.E. Tagliati |
| Keywords: | Erwinia amylovora, migratory birds, vectors, spread, Italy |
| Abstract:
Fire blight (Erwinia amylovora, EA) was first reported during the Summer 1990 in pear orchards of the Apulia region (Southern Italy). Afterwards, during the Summer 1991, the disease was observed in Sicily. Among the hypotheses we took into account is that this spread of EA is related to migratory birds as potential vectors. Alongside the creation of a network to monitor the presence and spread of fire blight in Italy (this network already effectively covers part of the country), we analysed some aspects of bird migration across Italy, with special reference to the areas already affected by the disease or of special importance for pome-fruit production (Po Valley). For this purpose, a series of several bird species was selected, belonging to medium and long-distance fruit-eating Passerines of the genera Phylloscopus, Sturnus, Sylvia and Turdus. Recoveries of foreign ringed birds in the selected Italian areas in 1980–1990 were considered in order to investigate the areas of origin of birds as compared to those where fire blight is endemic at higher latitudes in Europe. Main migratory routes through affected areas in Italy are characterized by a N-NE component, leading birds originating from vast areas of Northern and Central-Eastern Europe, where EA is actually reported. On such assumptions, it is more likely that the disease reached Southern Italy from more northern areas, rather than from the near Mediterranean shores of Greece. On the basis of our hypothesis, a further investigation into the possible relationships between EA and migratory birds is being planned through a sampling project organized in a series of ringing stations, with the aim of detecting living cells of the blight organism on bird legs and bills as well as in droppings. | |
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