DEVELOPMENT OF AN ARTIFICIAL DIET FOR THE GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER

• Author(s): Coudron, Thomas; Backus, Elaine; Goodman, Cynthia; Hunter, Wayne; Jones, Walker;
• Abstract: The intent of this project is to develop an artificial rearing system for the glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca coagulata) (GWSS), the primary vector of Pierces Disease (Xylella fastidiosa) (PD). In order to accomplish this, a diet delivery system will first be developed and then used to test artificial diets. Diet formulations will be based, in part, on previous studies performed by Cohen (2002) using GWSS, as well as on artificial diets developed for other Hemiptera (Mitsuhashi, 1979; Coudron et al., 2002) and on the xylem chemistry of GWSS host plants (Andersen, et al., 1992). Diets will be evaluated based on their effects on life history analyses, reproductive rate and intrinsic rate of increase of GWSS. Another aspect of our project involves investigating nitrogen source(s) for GWSS, as that may represent a nutrient limitation for xylem feeders. Two potential sources for nitrogen, i.e. proteins or peptides, will be studied by determining the fate of dietary proteins/peptides (Brandt, et al., 2004) and the ability of salivary and midgut proteolytic enzymes to digest proteins/peptides (Wright, et al., 2004). In this way, we will identify the role(s) proteins and peptides play in GWSS nutrition and their potential uses in artificial diet formulations.
• Publication Date: Dec 2004
• Journal: 2004 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium