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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #150452
Title: SHARPSHOOTER FEEDING BEHAVIOR IN RELATION TO INOCULATION OF PIERCE'S DISEASE

Author
item Backus, Elaine
item YAN, FENGMING - KANSAS STATE UNIV-MANHATT
item HABIBI, JAVAD - UNIV OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA

Submitted to: Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting North Central Branch
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/10/2003
Publication Date: 10/28/2003
Citation: Backus, E.A., Yan, F., Habibi, J. 2003. Sharpshooter feeding behavior in relation to inoculation of Pierce's Disease. [abstract] The 2003 ESA Annual Meeting and Exhibition. Available: http://esa.confex.com/esa/2003/techprogram/paper 12606.htm.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The recent introduction of the glassy-winged sharpshooter in southern California has caused a great increase in PD disease incidence in many grape-growing regions. Although host plant resistance to the bacterium and/or vector is being sought, research is hampered by lack of detailed knowledge of the transmission process. The purpose of our project is to characterize the feeding behavior of sharpshooters on grape, and to begin to identify the precise stylet activities that permit inoculation of PD bacterium during feeding. To do this, we are using electropenetration graph (EPG) monitoring of feeding, videomicrography of stylet movements, and histology of salivary sheaths. Correlation experiments showed that EPG waveforms represent specific stages of stylet penetration. Inoculation experiments have narrowed the range of waveforms that could be responsible for the permissive inoculation behavior. The ultimate goal of our research is to develop a Stylet Penetration Index which could provide a rapid means of screening grape varieties for host plant resistance.