Who is Fastidious X, the fearsome killer?
Don't miss our new comic strip “Fastidious X, the fearsome killer” and join us as we unmask the culprit Xylella fastidiosa, a plant pest causing severe damage to the economy and the environment. Drawn by illustrator Miriam Rivera, “Fastidious X, the fearsome killer” has been developed by EFSA in collaboration with Miguel Ángel Miranda, an expert at Universidad de las Islas Baleares.
The comic is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Slovenian, Croatian and Greek.
Panel 1
Western style portraying a big X saying “Wanted – Fastidious X For killing several plants”
Narrator: While the world was heading towards the 20th century, science advancing and the world opening up, in America something strange was happening: some plants were inexplicably dying. Why?
Panel 2
Narrator for Panel 2: Someone or something was silently attacking plants.
Character 1, Newton Pierce (1892): Thinking: ‘What is going on here?’.
Panel 3
Narrator: The pattern was consistent: plants were getting sick, withered and died no matter what was done to try to save them. But it was not until the late 1980s that researchers got close to unveiling the culprit.
Plant: “I’m not feeling very well, doctor. I feel weak even if I’m drinking my 2-4 litres of water per day. And I’m still so thirsty!”
Panel 4
-Look at this, doctor!
-Oh no! Something is blocking your plants’ vessels. You cannot receive any nutrients, no matter how much we water you!
- We’ve been rumbled!
Panel 5
Narrator: Fastidious X was unmasked as the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, a dangerous plant blocker that no one knows how to stop!
Bacteria 1 with a trolley: ‘What are your plans for the weekend?’
Bacteria 2: Nothing very exotic, I’m moving to a plant in the next yard. I must rush now, here comes my Sharpshooter* Taxi.
Bacteria 1: Good luck! Let’s catch up soon, I am in hurry too: I need to catch a boat.
Panel 6
-Goodbye Americas!
-Ah, I want to see the world.
To be continued…
Panel 7
*Footnote: In natural conditions, Xylella fastidiosa is transmitted by insect vectors. The xylem-feeding insect sharpshooter is one of the most common vectors in the Americas.
Title: Fastidious X arrives in Europe
Panel 1
Box: 2013.
Narrator: Southern Italy, a land that since antiquity has forged deep-rooted bonds with its olive trees and their exquisite oil.
Narrator: However, the olive trees are slowly dying…
Researcher thinking: I have a nasty feeling Fastidious X could be behind this epidemic. This could be a disaster!
Panel 2
Narrator: After some analysis…
Researcher: "Oh no! It’s Xylella fastidiosa!"
Xylella bacteria says grinning: “Yes, I am very fastidious!”
Narrator: Yes, it was Xylella, by then known to be one of the most dangerous plant pathogens in the world.
A scientist says: "We need to inform the authorities immediately. This is a red alert – a dangerous plant pest is on the loose!"
Panel 3
Narrator: The Italian authorities rapidly alerted the EU plant health office in Brussels.
Balloon in Brussels: This is serious! We need scientific advice – who you gonna call? Call EFSA*!
Footnote: The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is a European Union agency that provides scientific advice to authorities and communicates on risks along the food chain, including plant health.
Parma, Northern Italy
Experts at EFSA working on the rapid advice, one says: "Europe is at risk. Xylella may attack many plants in many regions."
Panel 4
Narrator: Emergency measures must be taken to combat Xylella and funding is needed for research into control methods
Narrator: Meanwhile, scientists focused on learning more about Xylella and trying to find a treatment that could provide some hope.
Domenico can say: "Hmm… could these insects, spittlebugs, have a role in the spread of Xylella?"
To be continued…
Title: Fastidious X strikes again
Panel 1
Box: Spain, 2016
Narrator: While olive trees were dying in southern Italy, Fastidious X was unexpectedly discovered in the Balearic Islands. Vines, olive and almond trees were falling sick in the archipelago.
Green almond leaf to yellowish leaf: “I don’t want to worry you, but your colour is not normal”.
Panel 2
Continuation
Panel 3
Narrator: Xylella fastidiosa hitches a ride from one plant to another on xylem feeder insects. In Europe, it uses the so-called spittlebugs!
Spittlebug, unaware of the presence of the bacterium: “Hmm, this xylem has notes of raw almond, but it’s quite dry compared to previous years.”
Panel 4
Narrator: Research showed that spittlebugs move across all crops. From the grass to the shrubs and the trees, they move all around! So, controlling these insects is really difficult.
Character spittlebug: “I’m here” x 5 times.
Character: spittlebug nymphs in close-up: I’m a spittlebug nymph[1]. We develop in a cocoon of white foam we make in the grass.
Entomologist (an insect specialist): This is an enormous challenge…, what can we do?
Panel 5
Entomologist: …well, we can learn more about how they transmit the bacterium by studying them back at the lab.
Panel 6
Narrator: The spittlebug picks-up Fastidious X while feeding on an infected plant. The bacteria grow in the insect’s mouth, ready to be transmitted again.
Panel 7
Spittlebug 1: “I'm negative… you?”
Spittlebug 2: “I'm positive. That plant I had for lunch was infected with Xylella! Whoops!”
Narrator: The analysis of the insect’s mouth shows which species are carrying Xylella.
Panel 8
Entomologist: This is important to know. Since the major vector species in each region may be different, we need different options to control them and prevent Fastidious X from spreading further!
Narrator: For instance, in the Balearic Islands around 20% of the insects were positive to Xylella. This is important for understanding how Fastidious X may spread from crop to crop.
Panel 9
Neophilaenus spumarius: “I’m less abundant in the crops”
Narrator: Now, we know that in Europe some spittlebug species are more abundant than others and therefore the risk of transmission varies.
Panel 10
Female EFSA Officer explaining: Spittlebugs are widespread in Europe, so if infected plants are introduced, Xylella can be transmitted and establish itself for a long time.
Narrator: Fastidious X has made it clear that it wants to stay in Europe, posing a threat to our plants. What can be done now?
To be continued…
[1] Nymphs are insects in the early stages of development, they transform into adults.
Title: Fastidious X gets in trouble: science is on its way!
Panel 1
Box: 2023
Narrator: A decade has passed since Fastidious X was first spotted in Europe. We now know Xylella can infect more than 400 plant species from 60 different families. Scientists together with local, national and European authorities, institutions like EFSA[1] and EPPO[2] are joining forces and working tirelessly to find solutions.
Panel 2
Narrator: The transport of infected plants is the main cause of spreading Xylella. That’s why border controls are so important for detecting any pest that may be secretly hiding in the cargo.
Panel 3
Narrator: It is crucial that we only transport healthy plants accompanied by phytosanitary certificates, which means an official statement of good health!
Panel 4
Narrator: Controls can prevent new Xylella bacterium. But what can we do for affected areas? Is there any hope?
Scientist: By artificially inoculating plants with Xylella we can learn more about plant resistance to this bacterium.
Panel 5
Narrator: Scientists think so! One of the most promising solutions comes from olive plants that resist Fastidious X.
Trees: “Ah, here we go again. These fastidious bacteria haven’t understood yet how resistant we are.
Tree 2: “Bah, when we are attacked by Xylella we stay green and keep sucking up water, no problem!”
Panel 6
Scientist: Hmm, interesting… these olive tree varieties, they have no symptoms at all!
Panel 7
Narrator: Research promises to make Fastidious X’s life even more perilous. From drones for early detection to thermal treatments and insect vector controls, researchers are finding innovative ways to beat Xylella!
Panel 8
Narrator: While new techniques are developed, plant pest surveillance is crucial to limit the spread of Xylella or its dangerous pals, the other plant pests!
Panel 9
Narrator: But Fastidious X is a formidable foe. We must join forces across Europe to avoid its spread: from plant nurseries and farmers to scientists, plant inspectors and citizens. Let’s not give Xylella a chance!
One plants says, to the reader: you can help “beat Xylella” too! So, don’t travel with uncertified plants! Don’t risk it!
[1] The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is a European Union agency that provides scientific advice to authorities and communicates on risks along the food chain, including plant health.
[2] EPPO is the European and Mediterranean plant protection organisation.