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Pierce's Disease
Research Updates

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What is Pierce's Disease?

Pierce's Disease is a bacterial infection, which is spread by bugs that feed on grapevines, particularly the "glassy winged sharpshooter." Grapevines that become infected with PD can quickly become sick and die.

glassy-winged sharpshooter

ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE BACTERIOME-ASSOCIATED ENDOSYMBIONTS OF THE GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER, HOMALODISCA COAGULATA (HOMOPTERA: CICADELLIDAE)

  • Author(s): Costa, Heather; Rosell, Rosemarie;
  • Abstract: Light and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine the intracellular endosymbionts of the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata. The organisms described are contained within bacteriocytes, forming organs referred to as bacteriomes. In glassy-winged sharpshooter, bacteriomes consisted of paired reddish organs associated with yellow glandular-like structures located in the ventro-lateral anterior portion of the abdomen. Three morphologically distinct bacteria-like organisms were observed. One spherical in shape, one rod shaped, and one larger, highly pleomorphic organism that often appeared elongated. The red portion of the bacteriome appeared to contain only the spherical organisms, while sections of the yellow portion contained all morphological forms. In some cases individual cells in the yellow portion contained more than one type of organism.
  • Publication Date: Dec 2002
  • Journal: 2002 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium

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