Pierce's Disease
Research Updates

piercesdisease.cdfa.ca.gov

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

QUANTITATIVE ASPECTS OF THE TRANSMISSION OF XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA BY THE GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER


  • Author(s): Bextine, Blake; Blua, Matthew; Miller, Thomas;
  • Abstract: CTransmission of Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) by the glassy-winged sharpshooters (GWSS) involves a series of events from acquisition of the bacterium to inoculation of Xf to a new host. While this process is often over-simplified, certain insect/pathogen interactions may be necessary to achieve a successful transmission event and the number of Xf cells acquired or inoculated may govern whether or not transmission will occur. In our preliminary studies, neither higher titers of Xf nor longer feeding periods by GWSS result in higher rates of transmission nor a greater number of bacteria transmitted.
  • Publication Date: Dec 2004
  • Journal: 2004 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium