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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Biological Control of Insects Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #172740

Title: DEVELOPMENT OF AN ARTIFICIAL DIET FOR THE GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER

Author
item Coudron, Thomas

Submitted to: CDFA Pierce's Disease Control Program Research Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/13/2004
Publication Date: 12/20/2004
Citation: Coudron, T.A. 2004. Development of an artificial diet for the glassy-winged sharpshooter [abstract]. CDFA Pierce's Disease Control Program Research Symposium. p. 91.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Presently the rearing of the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), the primary vector of Pierce's Disease (PD), is labor-intensive and costly because it is dependent upon the careful selection and propagation of appropriate host plants. As a result, researchers often need to propagate several species of plants in order to rear GWSS in an optimal condition. The formulation of an artificial diet for GWSS will greatly enhance the ability of researchers to rear GWSS. Additionally, the availability of a nutrient delivery system for GWSS is equally important for the application of an artificial diet. The use of an artificial diet and delivery system would likely be more cost effective and portable, increasing the availability of high quality insects for PD researchers and decreasing the costs and time-constraints associated with maintaining the insect in culture. Furthermore, having an artificial diet will provide greater research flexibility to scientists when investigating the relationships between GWSS digestive physiology and factors critical to the vectoring of PD.