The STELLA project introduces an innovative digital system to improve the monitoring and management of two key olive diseases: Verticillium dahliae and Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi. These pathogens cause Verticillium wilt and olive knot disease, both of which pose significant threats to olive production in Greece. Traditional detection methods are often slow and labour-intensive. STELLA addresses these limitations through a comprehensive digital platform combining an Early Warning System, a Pest Detection System, and a Pest Response System.

Using IoT sensors, STELLA continuously monitors weather and soil conditions to predict disease outbreaks and identify environmental triggers like frost, hail, and pruning wounds that enable pathogen entry. In parallel, remote and proximal sensing tools—including drones and satellite imagery—enhance spatial disease detection, allowing early identification of symptoms that may be missed during field inspections. These tools enable real-time mapping of infection hotspots and assessment of crop health, empowering farmers to make more informed and timely decisions.

In the Atalanti pilot region, IoT devices and the EDEN Viewer camera are used to collect detailed data on crop conditions. This helps differentiate between diseases with similar symptoms and allows more targeted interventions, reducing unnecessary treatments and limiting economic losses.

STELLA also promotes community involvement through citizen science initiatives. Local farmers and agronomists contribute by reporting symptoms and supporting field surveillance, increasing the reliability and coverage of monitoring efforts. Capacity-building programs provide training on digital technologies and data interpretation, helping users act on real-time insights to improve disease management.

By combining technological innovation with stakeholder collaboration, STELLA offers a scalable, sustainable approach to protecting olive orchards from major pathogens.

• STELLA Project Website

Effective control of olive diseases caused by Verticillium dahliae and Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi depends on timely and accurate pathogen identification. These pathogens, responsible for Verticillium wilt and olive knot disease respectively, are widespread in Greece but remain under-monitored due to limitations in current surveillance systems.

Traditional detection methods include field surveys, visual symptom assessments, and laboratory testing. V. dahliae typically causes wilting, yellowing leaves, and vascular discolouration, while P. savastanoi manifests as tumour-like galls on branches. Entry points for the bacterium include frost damage, hail, wind, and pruning wounds. Although lab techniques such as bacterial culturing and molecular diagnostics (e.g., PCR) are used to confirm presence, they are time-consuming and require specialised expertise.

Visual assessments can be unreliable, especially when symptoms resemble those of other diseases. Soil type, climate, tree age, and cultivar susceptibility further complicate diagnosis. In many cases, infections remain latent until significant damage is already done, reducing the effectiveness of intervention strategies.

The lack of structured, nationwide monitoring programs in Greece adds to the challenge. Current practices do not fully account for environmental factors or variations in disease severity due to different olive varieties and pathogen virulence levels.

To improve disease control, there is a need to integrate conventional methods with more advanced molecular and environmental monitoring tools. The development of a structured, data-driven surveillance system—supported by climate analysis and remote sensing—would enable earlier and more accurate detection. This integrated approach would support olive growers in implementing timely, targeted interventions and ultimately strengthen the resilience and productivity of Greece’s olive sector.

• STELLA Project Website

Olive production is a cornerstone of Greece’s agricultural sector and cultural heritage. However, the industry is increasingly challenged by emerging diseases such as Verticillium wilt and Olive knot, particularly in monoculture systems. In Attica, where over 9,500 farmers rely on olive farming, the Mediterranean climate—characterised by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters—creates favourable conditions for the spread of such diseases.

The STELLA Horizon EU Project aims to address these challenges by improving pest and disease surveillance using digital technologies. The Greek Use Case Pilot focuses on two key study sites: a research orchard at the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) and three commercial plots in Atalanti. These locations feature diverse olive tree varieties (Kalamon, Koroneiki, Amfissis) and age profiles, offering valuable insight into disease development across different environmental and agronomic conditions.

Traditional methods for detecting olive tree diseases are often slow and labour-intensive. STELLA introduces advanced technologies, including Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, remote and proximal sensing, to monitor environmental conditions and detect early disease symptoms in real-time. These tools aim to overcome the limitations of conventional detection techniques and enable more timely and precise interventions.

The project’s ultimate goal is to build a robust database of pest and disease dynamics, supporting targeted and sustainable crop protection strategies. By reducing reliance on broad-spectrum pesticide applications, STELLA contributes to lowering environmental impact, minimising crop losses, and improving productivity. This innovative approach strengthens the resilience of Greek olive production and supports the long-term sustainability of the sector.

• STELLA Project Website

Olive production is a key part of Greece’s agricultural economy and cultural identity. However, the sector faces increasing threats from emerging pests and diseases, particularly in monoculture systems. In regions like Attica and Atalanti, olive producers are dealing with challenges such as Verticillium wilt and Olive knot disease, which are exacerbated by the Mediterranean climate—hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

The STELLA Horizon EU project addresses these challenges by enhancing early disease detection and data-driven management practices. Two primary pilot sites are included in the Greek Use Case Pilot (UCP): a research orchard at the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) and three commercial plots in Atalanti. These sites represent various olive varieties (Kalamon, Koroneiki, Amfissis) and tree ages, enabling analysis of how different environmental and agronomic conditions influence disease development.

Traditional detection methods like pathogen isolation and microscopy are slow and labour-intensive. STELLA integrates advanced digital technologies, including IoT, remote and proximal sensing, to provide real-time data on environmental factors, disease symptoms, and pathogen dynamics. This enables earlier and more accurate disease identification.

The project’s goal is to create a comprehensive, localised database that supports targeted interventions. By using digital tools to inform disease management, olive producers can reduce pesticide use, limit crop losses, and boost productivity. The STELLA system also promotes sustainable farming practices by supporting long-term resilience against plant health threats. Through innovation, the project helps ensure the future viability of olive farming in key Greek regions.

• STELLA Project Website

New Zealand’s apple growers, particularly in the Hawke’s Bay region, face significant challenges in managing Bull’s eye rot, a disease caused by Neofabraea alba. This pathogen leads to latent infections—fruit appears healthy at harvest but symptoms emerge months later in storage, resulting in substantial postharvest losses and export risks.

Conventional monitoring relies on periodic scouting and hygiene practices, but for diseases like Bull’s eye rot, these are inadequate. Infected fruit cannot be detected in the orchard, and growers cannot predict which blocks are at greater risk. Although lab-based detection methods and disease models are being developed, they are not spatially precise and demand considerable resources. The large scale of commercial orchards in Hawke’s Bay further complicates consistent hygiene and risk mitigation.

The STELLA project addresses these limitations by introducing a digital Pest Surveillance System (PSS). Its aim is to provide spatially explicit risk assessments and early warning tools to support better-targeted interventions. The project explores the use of remote sensing, AI-powered analysis, and risk mapping to identify hotspots with a higher probability of infection.

This approach would allow growers to prioritise monitoring and management efforts, optimise the use of fungicides, and enhance postharvest strategies. It also supports a shift from reactive to proactive disease management, offering practical support for growers in a climate-sensitive and economically vital sector. While the project is ongoing, its anticipated impact lies in offering a scalable, data-driven solution to latent disease threats like Bull’s eye rot.

• STELLA Project Website

In New Zealand's apple industry, particularly within the critical growing region of Hawke's Bay, conventional pest monitoring and detection methods face significant limitations when dealing with diseases exhibiting latent infections, such as Bull's eye rot (Neofabraea alba). Current approaches often involve reactive measures, relying on periodic scouting and manual inspection. However, for Bull's eye rot, fruit infections occur in the orchard but remain undetectable until symptoms manifest in cool storage, sometimes months later. This delay hinders timely intervention and can lead to substantial postharvest losses. Orchardists cannot predict which block, orchard, or region may have higher latent infections in a season. Existing lab-based detection methods and disease population models are under development but are often not spatially explicit and require significant input and calibration.

New Zealand apple growers in Hawke's Bay rely on general orchard hygiene practices and pre-harvest fungicide treatments to manage potential Bull's eye rot risks. However, the factors influencing fruit susceptibility remain poorly understood, making targeted interventions challenging. The reliance on postharvest detection of Bull's eye rot in cool stores is a major drawback of conventional methods, as significant losses may have already occurred when the disease is identified. The vast commercial and intensive growing systems in Hawke's Bay also present a challenge for implementing thorough orchard hygiene across all areas. 

The STELLA project aims to complement existing efforts by providing spatially explicit risk assessments that could help growers overcome the limitations of current broad-scale management approaches and better target their resources to mitigate the specific challenges posed by the latent nature of Neofabraea alba infection. Developing more sensitive and early detection methods is also a key objective, addressing the inability to identify infected fruit in the orcha

• STELLA Project Website

Bull’s eye rot, caused by Neofabraea alba, is a major challenge for New Zealand’s apple industry, particularly in the Hawke’s Bay region. The disease is latent, meaning fruit may appear healthy at harvest but develop symptoms in cold storage, often leading to significant postharvest losses of 60–80%, depending on climate, cultivar, and fungicide use. As fruit quality is critical for export, undetected infections pose a risk to market access.

Symptoms include sunken circular lesions with a bull’s-eye pattern, brown internal decay, and clear margins between healthy and infected tissue. These are only visible once fruit has been stored, making orchard-based detection nearly impossible with current methods. Moreover, orchard hygiene is difficult to maintain in large commercial operations, and there is no clear way to predict which blocks are at greater risk of latent infection.

The STELLA project addresses these issues by developing a digital Pest Surveillance System (PSS) tailored to N. alba risk in Hawke’s Bay. The goal is to provide growers with tools to assess infection risk before harvest, improving decision-making and allowing for targeted hygiene and intervention practices. STELLA’s approach includes generating spatial risk maps and identifying conditions that favour infection, enhancing growers’ ability to allocate resources more effectively.

By combining local expertise with remote sensing and AI-powered analysis, STELLA aims to improve early warning capabilities, reduce fruit losses, and strengthen climate resilience. This complements existing orchard practices and supports more sustainable production. The project also aims to raise awareness among growers and support proactive adaptation to future pest challenges under changing environmental conditions.

• STELLA Project Website

Bull’s eye rot, caused by the fungal pathogen Neofabraea alba, is a significant postharvest disease in New Zealand’s apple industry. Infections occur in the orchard but remain latent, only becoming visible during cold storage, leading to rejected export shipments and economic losses. Current methods cannot accurately predict latent infections or provide spatially explicit risk assessments.

The STELLA Horizon EU project addresses this challenge by deploying its Pest Surveillance System (PSS) in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand’s largest apple-growing region. With fertile soils and favourable growing conditions, the region provides an ideal testing ground for digital surveillance. STELLA collaborates with major growers like T&G Global and Mr. Apple, alongside research and industry partners from the Smart & Sustainable (S&S) project, Plant & Food Research (PFR), and New Zealand Apples & Pears Inc (NZAPI).

STELLA’s PSS aims to complement existing practices by providing digital tools that generate early warnings and spatial risk maps for Bull’s eye rot. This enables growers to take more proactive and targeted management actions, reducing postharvest losses. The system integrates with regional infrastructure and benefits from strong stakeholder engagement.

Recent weather events, such as Cyclone Gabrielle (2023), have increased the urgency for resilient disease management strategies. Future STELLA activities in New Zealand include grower workshops to test and refine the platform. By combining advanced technologies with local expertise, STELLA supports more sustainable and data-driven decision-making in apple production.

• STELLA Project Website

The STELLA Horizon EU project seeks to modernise pest monitoring and surveillance systems by integrating cutting-edge digital technologies and introducing disruptive methodologies. A key objective is to develop and test advanced plant pest monitoring strategies using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and both remote and proximal sensing technologies. These tools will be validated across six real-life Use Case Pilots in five countries, targeting eight critical plant pathogens. 

The Italian UCP focuses on Ralstonia solanacearum, a quarantine bacterium that seriously threatens Italy’s processing-tomato supply chain. To address this, STELLA will implement an array of monitoring technologies:

● Remote Sensing: Once R. solanacearum presence is confirmed, satellite imagery will be used to capture weekly data on plant health and stress levels in and around the affected fields. This historical analysis will help track symptom development and support early detection in other at-risk regions.

● IoT Devices: Weather stations and environmental sensors will provide continuous real-time monitoring of the outbreak zones. These data will support epidemiological analysis of the disease's progression and facilitate modelling of future risks.

● Citizen Science and Crowdsourcing: Following a dedicated protocol, local stakeholders and citizens will report sightings and upload images of symptomatic plants via a dedicated mobile application.

All collected data will feed into the STELLA Pest Surveillance System (PSS), a comprehensive digital platform which will integrate bioclimatic indices and prediction models to improve early detection of R. solanacearum in known outbreak zones and assess the risk of spread to new areas.

By uniting digital tools and collaborative data collection, the STELLA project supports smarter, faster, and more precise responses to emerging plant health threats in Italy and beyond.

• STELLA Project Website

The Italian Use Case Pilot (UCP) within the STELLA project focuses on the quarantine pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum, which poses a major threat to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) crops. The Parma and Piacenza provinces, key hubs for tomato farming and processing, represent a high-risk region due to their dense agricultural activity. This area is part of the third-largest global producer of processing tomatoes, following China and California.

Currently, surveillance and early detection efforts are led by regional phytosanitary services and Producer Organisation (PO) technicians. Surveys are conducted between flowering and harvest stages (BBCH 60-89). If visible symptoms of R. solanacearum are found, the Plant Protection Organisation initiates confirmatory laboratory testing. Infected fields are subject to strict quarantine measures, including destruction of infected crops and a five-year ban on cultivating host species.

To enhance these efforts, the STELLA Horizon EU project is introducing digital tools that strengthen detection, monitoring, and mitigation of regulated pests. While proximal sensing cannot be applied due to the potential distribution of the pathogen across all tomato-growing fields, remote sensing technologies, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and citizen science will be employed.

A key innovation is the use of a mobile application to engage citizens in disease monitoring by allowing them to report potential symptoms. Data collected from remote and community sources will feed into the STELLA Pest Surveillance System (PSS), a comprehensive digital platform designed for real-time detection and outbreak response.

This digital transformation of pest surveillance aims to improve early warning, enable faster response, and support the long-term sustainability of Italy’s vital tomato sector under evolving climate and disease pressures.

• STELLA Project Website

Tomato farmers in Northern Italy are facing increasing challenges due to climate change and the spread of plant pathogens. Among these, Ralstonia solanacearum, the causal agent of bacterial wilt, poses a growing threat to processing tomato production in the Emilia-Romagna region. With no effective pesticide treatments available, infected crops must be destroyed, making early detection and containment essential.

The bacterium spreads through infected plant material, soil, and water, persisting in the environment for years. Since 2017, outbreaks have intensified in provinces like Ferrara, Bologna, and Parma, prompting emergency measures. A regional Crisis Unit was established, and formal monitoring procedures were implemented. As of 2024, infections appear contained, but surveillance continues to confirm possible eradication.

To support disease management, the STELLA Horizon EU project is developing a predictive tool based on simple bioclimatic indices. This early warning system will be integrated into the STELLA Pest Surveillance System (PSS) to help users assess the risk of R. solanacearum outbreaks in real time. By monitoring weather and environmental data, the system can identify high-risk periods and provide alerts, allowing for timely action.

Key benefits of the tool include:

• STELLA Project Website

Italy is one of the world’s top producers of processing tomatoes, with the Emilia-Romagna region in Northern Italy accounting for 68.8% of the national cultivated area. This crop is vital to the region’s economy, involving around 2,000 producers and contributing over €44 billion in 2022. However, the sector is increasingly vulnerable to climate change and pest threats. Excessive rainfall, rising temperatures, and unpredictable weather patterns have reduced yields and increased the prevalence of pathogens like red spider mite, downy mildew, and Alternaria spp., which can lead to mycotoxin contamination.

A key phytosanitary concern is Ralstonia solanacearum, a regulated quarantine bacterium that causes bacterial wilt in tomatoes. Its spread and impact are influenced by environmental conditions, making early detection critical. Italian phytosanitary inspectors follow strict protocols for monitoring this pathogen. A simple field test—placing a cut tomato stem in water to observe bacterial oozing—is one diagnostic method currently in use.

To address this challenge, the STELLA Horizon EU project is developing an early-warning monitoring tool for R. solanacearum, to be integrated into the broader STELLA Pest Surveillance System (PSS). Over four years, STELLA will focus on plots in areas where the bacterium is confirmed or suspected. The PSS combines digital technologies, such as smart sensors and predictive modelling, to support real-time monitoring and informed responses to pest threats.

By enhancing detection and response capabilities for R. solanacearum, STELLA aims to strengthen biosecurity, safeguard crop yields, and increase the resilience of the tomato sector in Emilia-Romagna against the growing risks posed by climate change.

• STELLA Project Website

In the Vilkaviškis region of Lithuania, conventional pest monitoring in potato farming relies on general agri-technical methods and reactive responses, such as the use of insecticides to control aphids that transmit Potato Leafroll Virus (PLRV). However, farmer participation in structured pest monitoring initiatives is limited, and digital tools remain largely unused. These gaps hinder timely and accurate pest detection and leave crops vulnerable to damage.

The STELLA Horizon EU project aims to address these challenges through its Lithuanian Use Case Pilot (UCP3), which focuses on deploying the STELLA Pest Surveillance System (PSS). This holistic digital solution is designed to support early pest detection, real-time data collection, and targeted response strategies. The system integrates multiple technologies, including smart insect traps, satellite imaging, IoT sensors, and pest forecasting models.

Key components of the STELLA PSS include:

• STELLA Project Website

Potato farming in Lithuania’s Vilkaviškis region primarily relies on conventional agri-technical methods for pest management. These include crop rotation, seedbed preparation, irrigation, lime application, variety selection, and considerations such as soil type, field size, and proximity to water sources. However, when it comes to pest-specific control, options are limited. For example, manual and mechanical beetle removal is used for Colorado beetles, while aphid control—the main vector for Potato Leafroll Virus (PLRV)—is largely managed through insecticides, particularly in seed potato production.

A survey conducted as part of the STELLA Horizon EU project revealed that most farmers (75%) have not engaged in pest monitoring activities, and none reported experience with digital monitoring tools in the field. This points to a heavy reliance on reactive strategies and a lack of proactive or precision-based interventions. Moreover, early detection and identification of less familiar pests remain a challenge, as current approaches are better suited for well-known threats like the Colorado beetle.

The introduction of the STELLA Pest Surveillance System (PSS) aims to address these gaps. By integrating digital tools such as satellite imaging and pest traps, the STELLA PSS is designed to improve early detection, support timely intervention, and reduce dependence on broad-spectrum chemical treatments. However, successful implementation will require user-friendly technology and adequate farmer training to ensure widespread adoption. With proper support, the system has the potential to transform pest management in the region, leading to better yields, reduced pesticide use, and more sustainable farming practices.

• STELLA Project Website

In the Vilkaviškis region of southwestern Lithuania, potato farming plays a vital economic role but is increasingly threatened by the Potato Leafroll Virus (PLRV). Transmitted by aphids, PLRV can cause up to 50% yield loss by severely impacting tuber quality and harvest quantity. Farmers rely on understanding pest life cycles and implementing early detection strategies to manage the disease. However, current pest monitoring methods and agri-technical solutions often fall short in effectively controlling outbreaks.

To address these limitations, the STELLA Horizon EU project is piloting its Pest Surveillance System (PSS) in the region as part of its Lithuanian Use Case Pilot (UCP3). The system integrates advanced digital technologies such as satellite imaging and smart insect traps. These tools aim to improve the accuracy and timeliness of PLRV detection, enabling more precise interventions and better-informed management decisions.

The STELLA PSS is designed as a holistic digital platform that not only identifies early signs of regulated pests like PLRV but also includes a response system based on Artificial Intelligence and modern sensing technologies. By enhancing pest surveillance, the platform helps farmers implement timely interventions, reduce pesticide use, and improve potato quality and yield.

Farmers in Vilkaviškis have expressed interest in adopting the PSS due to its potential benefits, including reduced crop losses, optimised input use, and compatibility with existing farm tools. Its adaptability and user-friendly design are key to promoting uptake among local agricultural stakeholders.

The pilot serves as a model for deploying digital solutions to manage virus threats in potato farming. It highlights the potential of precision agriculture tools to contribute to more resilient, sustainable farming practices across Europe.

• STELLA Project Website

STELLA project's Lithuanian Use Case Pilot (UCP3) is located in the Vilkaviškis region in southwest Lithuania—an area characterised by favourable climatic conditions and Group I soils of high agricultural value. Potato cultivation plays a key economic and social role in the region, with approximately 500 hectares dedicated annually to its production.

Despite these advantages, potato farmers in Vilkaviškis face considerable challenges from the Potato Leafroll Virus (PLRV), a pathogen that damages phloem tissue and leads to significant yield losses. Effective management of PLRV relies heavily on early detection and timely interventions. Traditional control methods are limited by delayed diagnosis, making it harder for farmers to respond effectively.

The STELLA Horizon EU Project aims to address these issues through its Pest Surveillance System (PSS), a holistic digital platform that includes early warning, pest detection, and response components. STELLA’s PSS will incorporate technologies such as satellite imagery and pest traps to support the early identification of PLRV outbreaks. The platform is designed to help farmers take proactive pest management actions, reducing crop loss and improving production sustainability.

The Vilkaviškis site was selected based on several strategic criteria: the region’s susceptibility to climate-driven pest migration from Central Europe, a strong local farming community willing to collaborate, and a diverse landscape that includes varying soil types, field sizes, and proximity to water sources. This diversity allows for robust testing of the STELLA PSS across multiple environmental and agricultural scenarios. User needs analysis also indicated a strong interest in digital pest monitoring solutions, suggesting high potential impact and uptake of the STELLA tools among local stakeholders.

• STELLA Project Website

Ceratocystis platani, the fungal agent of canker stain disease, poses a major threat to plane trees in Greece. In many regions, the disease has reached epidemic proportions, making eradication no longer feasible. The priority now is to monitor its spread and prevent outbreaks in new areas. Traditional monitoring methods—such as field inspections and laboratory diagnostics—are reliable but often detect infections too late. These methods are also time-consuming, labour-intensive, and costly, particularly when deployed across vast or hard-to-reach areas.

The STELLA Horizon EU Project introduces a more advanced, cost-effective solution for disease monitoring. The STELLA platform combines Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, drones, satellite imagery, and artificial intelligence (AI) to enable early detection and real-time monitoring of C. platani. These technologies allow for continuous, automated data collection, covering remote forested areas that are otherwise difficult to access. This digital surveillance approach improves response times and helps contain disease outbreaks more effectively.

Predictive models using environmental data further enhance the system’s capability by identifying high-risk conditions and issuing timely alerts. In addition to technological innovation, STELLA promotes community involvement. A dedicated mobile app and citizen science activities empower local foresters and residents to report potential infections, broadening the network of surveillance. The platform also includes training resources to help users understand and apply advanced monitoring methods.

By combining digital tools with participatory practices, STELLA strengthens Greece’s capacity to detect and manage C. platani. This integrated approach helps mitigate further spread, reduces monitoring costs, and safeguards the country's culturally and ecologically significant plane tree populations.

• STELLA Project Website

Ceratocystis platani is a regulated fungal pathogen that causes canker stain disease in plane trees, posing a severe threat to natural populations of Platanus orientalis in Greece. Annual nationwide surveys are conducted to monitor the presence of the pathogen in forests, urban areas, and tree nurseries involved in trade. Samples are analysed using visual inspections and molecular diagnostics, following the standards of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO). The disease is typically observed between May and September when canopy symptoms are most visible, though trunk cankers may appear year-round. In P. orientalis, however, rough bark often hides symptoms, complicating early detection.

Despite the effectiveness of current monitoring protocols, the system faces significant limitations. Visual inspections are labour-intensive, require specialised expertise, and can be difficult to implement across vast or remote areas. Laboratory testing, while reliable, is costly and time-consuming, potentially delaying pest identification and response efforts. In many cases, infected trees are discovered too late, after the disease has already spread to neighbouring or distant trees via root systems, water, soil, tools, or contaminated wood.

The primary challenge in controlling C. platani lies in detecting new disease outbreaks early, before significant spread occurs. This highlights the need for more efficient, affordable, and scalable monitoring tools and strategies. Early detection is crucial to ensure faster response and to limit the spread of the pathogen. Innovative solutions such as remote sensing, predictive modelling, and digital surveillance systems—like those being developed by the STELLA Horizon EU Project—can support more proactive and cost-effective pest management, reduce dependence on manual inspections, and improve the resilience of monitoring systems across natural and urban landscapes.

• STELLA Project Website

Ceratocystis platani is a highly aggressive fungal pathogen responsible for canker stain disease in plane trees (Platanus spp.), leading to rapid decline and death within 3–7 years. Since its first detection in Greece in 2003, it has spread across several regions including Messenia, Arkadia, Ilia, Epirus, and Thessaly, causing severe environmental and economic damage. The disease is especially problematic in urban and riparian areas where plane trees play a crucial role in biodiversity, ecosystem stability, and tourism.

The fungus spreads through infected plant material, soil, unclean tools, wind, water, insects, animals, and even through root connections. Once infected, trees exhibit symptoms such as leaf yellowing, wilting, and dieback, eventually resulting in full canopy collapse. In Platanus orientalis, the dominant species in Greece, symptoms are often hidden under thick bark, delaying detection. With no effective treatment available, prevention remains the only viable strategy.

Control measures focus on strict hygiene protocols, such as disinfecting tools and using disease-free planting material. However, enforcement is uneven, and the wide distribution of plane trees makes containment costly and labour-intensive.

To address this challenge, the STELLA Horizon EU project is implementing a modern, integrated pest surveillance approach. STELLA combines remote sensing, Internet of Things (IoT) environmental sensors, and predictive modelling to improve early detection and risk assessment. These tools aim to facilitate timely interventions and reduce the reliance on reactive management.

Crucially, the project emphasises stakeholder collaboration, including local authorities, forestry services, and citizen involvement. Enhancing awareness and participation is key to strengthening monitoring efforts and ensuring long-term protection of Greece’s plane trees and their associated ecological and cultural values.

• STELLA Project Website

Evia, Greece’s second-largest island, is home to natural forests of oriental plane trees (Platanus orientalis), many of which are centuries old and culturally protected. These trees are under severe threat from Ceratocystis platani, an invasive fungal pathogen that causes canker stain disease. First detected in Greece in 2003, the disease has since caused widespread damage, particularly along riverbanks in North Evia, with some areas now experiencing epidemic-level infections.

In the Municipality of Mantoudi–Limni–Agia Anna, more than 80% of plane trees are infected. Over 3,000 trees have already been removed, with another 1,200 scheduled for felling. This includes trees of exceptional ecological and cultural value, some over 500 years old. Environmental disasters in the region, such as storms and wildfires, have further accelerated the spread of the disease.

To address this threat, the STELLA Horizon EU project is implementing an integrated pest surveillance strategy, combining cutting-edge technologies with local engagement. Monitoring sites have been established in the Kireas plane forest and Prokopi, selected for their strategic locations near river pathways and tourist areas. These pilot sites serve both practical and educational functions.

The STELLA PSS (Pest Surveillance System) platform leverages smart sensors, drones, satellite imagery, and AI models for real-time disease detection and tracking. This digital system supports early intervention strategies, replacing manual and time-consuming monitoring methods.

In parallel, the project involves local communities and stakeholders in awareness campaigns and data collection, reinforcing the importance of collective action in disease management. STELLA’s work in Evia aims not only to mitigate the current crisis but also to serve as a replicable model for other regions facing similar plant health threats.

• STELLA Project Website

The STELLA project is enhancing pest and disease monitoring in vineyards in Alsace, France, focusing on threats like Grapevine Leafroll Disease (GLD) and Bois Noir (BN). The region’s vineyards face significant challenges due to climate change and increasing pest pressure. Traditional monitoring methods—visual inspections and lab testing—are often labour-intensive, expensive, and prone to error.

To address this, the French Use Case Pilot (UCP 1) deploys digital tools including drones, satellites, AI-based image analysis, IoT sensors, weather stations, and connected traps. These technologies support real-time data integration and predictive modelling, enabling earlier detection of pests and disease symptoms across large areas. The STELLA Pest Surveillance System (PSS) platform will serve as a hub for data sharing and collaborative decision-making among growers, researchers, and policymakers.

Key benefits include:

• STELLA Project Website

French vineyards, especially in Alsace, are increasingly threatened by Grapevine Leafroll Disease (GLD) and Bois Noir (BN), which reduce yield and grape quality. Current monitoring methods—visual inspections, insect trapping, and laboratory testing—can be time-consuming, costly, and prone to errors due to overlapping symptoms and variability across grape varieties and seasons.

In Alsace, visual surveys cost approximately €11.52/ha and regional monitoring for Yellowing diseases costs up to €200,000 annually. Confirming infections such as BN often requires PCR testing at about €25 per sample. Vector monitoring using sticky traps and lab diagnostics are crucial but resource-intensive.

The STELLA Horizon EU project aims to modernise pest and disease surveillance using digital technologies. This includes cameras, drones, satellite imagery, weather stations, and AI-powered analytics. These innovations aim to transition from reactive to predictive management.

Expected benefits include:

• STELLA Project Website

The STELLA project supports vineyard health in Alsace by focusing on two major grapevine diseases: Grapevine Leafroll Disease (GLD) and Bois Noir (BN). Both significantly affect grape quality, yield, and vineyard longevity. Using digital technologies, STELLA aims to enhance disease monitoring, early detection, and decision-making for more sustainable viticulture.

GLD is caused by viruses (GLRaVs) that reduce sugar transport and delay ripening, leading to symptoms such as leaf discolouration and rolling. Transmitted by mealybugs and soft-scale insects, GLD spreads through infected plant material and is exacerbated by climate change. Accurate detection relies on methods such as PCR and ELISA. The disease causes serious economic losses by decreasing grape yield and increasing vineyard management costs.

Bois Noir, caused by Candidatus Phytoplasma solani, is a Regulated Non-Quarantine Pest. It spreads via planthopper insects and wild host plants like nettles and bindweed. BN symptoms resemble those of Flavescence Dorée (FD), a quarantine disease, complicating field diagnosis and increasing the cost and complexity of surveys. Molecular diagnostics like PCR offer more accurate confirmation.

STELLA is developing digital tools and decision-support systems to address these diseases. These tools enable earlier and more precise interventions, integrating field data, remote sensing, and AI-based models. By improving disease management, STELLA helps reduce pesticide use, improve grape quality, and support the long-term sustainability of European viticulture.

• STELLA Project Website

Τhe STELLA project enhances vineyard disease and pest monitoring in Alsace, France, by integrating digital tools such as remote sensing, AI analytics, and real-time sensors. Led by IFV in Colmar, the project focuses on strengthening vineyard resilience against major diseases like Grapevine Leafroll Disease and Bois Noir.

Alsace, a key French wine region, spans 15,500 ha of vineyards across diverse soils and microclimates. Known for high-quality white wines, its vineyards also increasingly adopt sustainable, organic, and biodynamic practices. The region’s economic, cultural, and environmental identity is deeply tied to viticulture, attracting visitors via its renowned wine tourism.

Within STELLA, eight pilot vineyard plots covering 3.6 ha have been selected to reflect varying grape varieties, terroirs, and farming approaches. These include conventional, organic, and biodynamic systems. The plots, managed by INRAE, a local agricultural school, and cooperative winegrowers, serve as testbeds to evaluate the STELLA Pest Surveillance System (PSS). This system supports early detection, monitoring, and management of grapevine diseases.

By tailoring digital solutions to real vineyard conditions, STELLA aims to improve disease control, support decision-making, and promote sustainable viticulture in Alsace and beyond.

• STELLA Project Website

A significant challenge for farmers and foresters is the timely and accurate detection of pests and diseases and understanding their development. The STELLA project addresses this by offering opportunities to utilise modern digital tools for more precise, rapid, and objective monitoring, potentially leading to time and cost savings and improved yields.

The STELLA project has established standardised data collection protocols and guidelines for various digital technologies. These include protocols for:

• STELLA Project Website