ULTRASTRUCTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STUDY OF THEGLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER AND PIERCES DISEASE

• Author(s): Freeman, Thomas; Henneberry, Thomas; Leopold, Dennis;
• Abstract: Despite the major research efforts presently underway to minimize the significant economic losses caused by the glassywinged sharpshooter and Piercess disease there are major gaps in our understanding of the basic biology of this insect and its interactions with host plants. There is little current literature dealing with the structure of mouth parts of the glassy-winged sharpshooter. Understanding the structure of the mouths parts and their interaction with host plant cells is essential to determining how the insect transfers the bacterium from plant to plant. Details of the mouth parts and feeding behavior may also provide the information necessary to determine why some sharpshooters can feed on infected plants but not transfer the bacteria to healthy plants on subsequent feedings. There is speculation as to why the cavitation does not occur in the xylem tissue despite the large water loss associated with sharpshooter feeding. Preliminary evidence from our laboratory demonstrates that both immature and adult insects probe leaf blades and petioles but never actually penetrate the xylem tissue of the veins. Are these insects actually feeding on cells outside of the xylem tissue? The research outlined in this report will contribute significantly to a greater understanding of glassy-winged sharpshooter feeding and its relationship to Piercess disease.
• Publication Date: Dec 2002
• Journal: 2002 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium