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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 #328097
Title: Playback interference of glassy-winged sharp shooter communication

Author
item Gordon, Shira
item MAZZONI, VALERIO - Fondazione Edmund Mach
item NIERI, RACHELE - Fondazione Edmund Mach
item Krugner, Rodrigo

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/14/2016
Publication Date: 7/5/2016
Citation: Gordon, S.D., Mazzoni, V., Nieri, R., Krugner, R. 2016. Playback interference of glassy-winged sharp shooter communication. Meeting Abstract. Available: http://eventi.fmach.it/biotremology2016.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Animal communication is vital to reproduction, particularly for securing a mate. Insects commonly communicate by exchanging vibrational signals that are transmitted through host plants. The glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), Homalodisca vitripennis, is an important vector of Xylella fastidiosa, a plant pathogenic bacterium that can kill grapevines. Since GWSS mate selection behaviors rely on vibrational communication, what if signals can be interfered with to prevent communication? If animals fail to locate, recognize, or accept a potential mate they may move away or ultimately reduce population densities due to lack of fertilization. Novel methods to suppress GWSS populations could help prevent spread X. fastidiosa. Effects of white noise and playback of GWSS female calls on mating behavior, aggregation, and individual female responses were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Both white noise and female calls reduced mating, whereas white noise, nor female calls, had an effect on aggregation. Finally, playbacks did influence the natural calling behavior of females. These results are a promising first step in understanding what is feasible biologically for a vibrational control method.