SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL RELATIONS BETWEEN GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER SURVIVAL AND MOVEMENT, XYLEM FLUX PATTERNS, AND XYLEM CHEMISTRY IN DIFFERENT HOST PLANTS

• Author(s): Hoddle, Mark; Luck, Robert; Andersen, Peter; Coviella, Carlos;
• Abstract: The glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), Homalodisca coagulata (Say) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), has been identified as the main vector for the xylem restricted bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, the causal agent of Pierces disease. Our project aims to identify those aspects in the GWSS-host plants interaction that may explain variations in GWSS performance and population dynamics of this vector. Following the field population dynamics of a species requires a reliable method for accurately estimating real field densities. Current methods used to estimate GWSS densities in the field, rely mainly on yellow sticky traps or net beatings and insect counts. We have developed a method to take absolute samples of the GWSS to recover all the GWSS stadia except eggs. We will then explore possible correlations between GWSS changes in population densities and performance, with xylem physical and chemical parameters in different host plants.
• Publication Date: Dec 2002
• Journal: 2002 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium