Switzerland is currently considered free from Xylella fastidiosa, but outbreaks in neighbouring countries and the intensification of international plant trade are cause of concern, despite the measures in place for controlling imported plants and the regular surveillance of the Swiss territory. With a proactive approach to the likely arrival of the plant pathogen in Switzerland, Agroscope's Neobiota Competence Centre, in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, are currently developing research for elucidating the epidemiology of Xylella fastidiosa in the Swiss context, supporting surveillance and early detection, and suggesting sustainable management strategies. In particular, research is underway that assess the competence and efficiency of insect vectors widespread in the country in acquiring and transmitting Xylella fastidiosa, as well as studying the symptomatology of Xylella infection on woody plants of agricultural and sylvicultural interest. Past projects have focused on vector Philaenus spumarius and have studied its phenology under the insubric climate, identified host plants and their specificity at local and regional scale, and estimated its density in different agroecosystems. Nymphs select preferentially host plants from Asteraceae, Plantaginaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Fabaceae families, in particular Taraxacum officinale, Plantago lanceolata, Silene vulgaris, Trifolium pratense. Nymphs’ host preference varies according to regional pools and habitat type. Density of nymphs (spittle nests) is significantly higher in extensively-managed habitats and in hay meadows, when compared to vineyards, olive groves, orchards and pastures. Experiments conducted to test management strategies for Philaenus spumarius have shown that mowing (and immediate removal of hay) is efficient in reducing vector’s abundance, independently of the starting date (period spanning from appearance of first nymph and nymphs’ peak). Push and pull approaches influence the spatial distribution of nymphs, the pull bands (attractive host species) showing a higher density of nymphs than push bands (repellent host species), although lower compared to untreated (semi-natural) meadow.