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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

MYCOPATHOGENS AND THEIR EXOTOXINS INFECTING THE GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER: SURVEY, EVALUATION, AND STORAGE

  • Author(s): Boucias, Drion; III, Russell;
  • Abstract: To date, the fungi isolated from field-collected mycosed glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) includes a combination of potential pathogens in the genera Verticillium, Paecilomyces, and Hirsutella and other saprobic fungi (Fusarium, Apergillus, Acremonium, etc). We have identified a primary pathogen, Hirsutella sp. developed a laboratory culturing method for it and identified a unique metabolite from the organism. We are developing a genetic profile of the pathogen and evaluating it for pathgenicity against several species of leafhoppers. The pathogen appears to be a good candidate for release into California as a classical biological control.
  • Publication Date: Aug 2003
  • Journal: 2003 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium

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