news and research about Pierce's Disease

What is Pierce's Disease?

Pierce’s Disease is a bacterial infection, which is spread by bugs that feed on grapevines, particularly the "glassy winged sharpshooter." Grapevines that become infected with PD can quickly become sick and die.

New records of pipunculidae attacking proconiine sharpshooters (auchenorrhyncha: cicadellidae: proconiini)

  • Author(s): Skevington, J. H.; Goolsby, J. A.;
  • Abstract: Five records of Pipunculidae (Diptera) attacking proconiine sharpshooters (Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae) are documented here for the first time. Eudorylas alternatus (Cresson) is documented as a parasitoid of Cuerna obtusa Oman and Beamer and Oncometopia orbona (Fabricius) is recorded as being attacked by an apparently undescribed species of Eudorylas (Pipunculidae). Records of unidentified pipunculid larvae are also recorded from Cuerna kaloostiani Nielson, Cuerna curvata Oman & Beamer, and Cuerna sp. near striata (Walker) - septentrionalis (Walker). We describe these observations, summarize the data for them and explore the potential of Pipunculidae as biological control agents for pest proconiines such as glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar)). We also reveal the utility of DNA barcoding for identifying pipunculid larvae.
  • Publication Date: Feb 2010
  • Journal: Journal Of The Entomological Society Of Ontario