VIEW ARTICLE

Acquisition of Spiroplasma citri Through Membranes by Homopterous Insects. G. L. Rana, Research Associate, Institute of Plant Pathology, Bari, Italy; G. H. Kaloostian(2), G. N. Oldfield(3), A. L. Granett(4), E. C. Calavan(5), H. D. Pierce(6), I. M. Lee(7), and D. J. Gumpf(8). (2)(3)Research Leader and Entomologist, respectively, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Boyden Entomology Laboratory, Riverside, California, 92502; (4)(5)Postgraduate Research Plant Pathologist and Professor, respectively, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, 92502; (6)Agricultural Research Technician, USDA, ARS, Riverside; (7)(8)Research Assistant and Assistant Professor, respectively, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside. Phytopathology 65:1143-1145. Accepted for publication 6 May 1975. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-65-1143.

Several cicadellids and one membracid acquired Spiroplasma citri from a concentrated suspension by feeding through stretched Parafilm M membranes. Two species, Circulifer tenellus and Scaphytopius nitridus, retained the microorganism for life. After acquisition, individuals of both species could inoculate solutions of 5% phosphate-buffered sucrose with S. citri. In single instances, both species transmitted S. citri to sweet orange.