WHERE, WHEN AND HOW DO INGESTION AND OTHER FEEDING BEHAVIORS OF THE GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER ALLOW INOCULATION OF XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA?

• Author(s): Backus, Elaine; Dugravot, Sebastien; Reardon, Brendon; Shugart, Holly; Chen, Jianchi; Miller, Thomas; Morgan, David; Ruzin, Steven;
• Abstract: This year, we completed the laboratory portion of work that identified an aspect of electrical penetration graph (EPG) ingestion waveform (C) of glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) that definitively represents xylem ingestion. We also demonstrated that extravasation is correlated with the B1 waveform. Both B1 and C waveforms may play a role in the behavior that facilitates inoculation of Xylella fastidiosa (Xf). Results this year support that both amount and location of Xf binding in the foregut of GWSS (vector load) are critical for success of subsequent inoculation. The precibarium is the first area colonized during acquisition, and also may be the most important location for subsequent inoculation. If insects become maximally loaded with Xf, preliminary results suggest that a single probe by a single vector can cause a lethal infection. These results will help solve the PD/GWSS problem by providing powerful new tools for future studies, answers to numerous questions about how vector transmission works, and new potential targets for host plant resistance.
• Publication Date: Nov 2006
• Journal: 2006 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium