Detection and Transmission of a Gram-Negative, Xylem-Limited Bacterium in Sharpshooters from a Citrus Grove in Florida. R. H. Brlansky, Assistant Professor, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Research and Education Center, Lake Alfred 33850. L. W. Timmer, Associate Professor, and R. F. Lee, Assistant Professor, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Research and Education Center, Lake Alfred 33850. Plant Dis. 66:590-592. Accepted for publication 12 October 1981. Copyright 1982 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-66-590.

A bacterium was detected by scanning electron microscopy in the pump organs of sharpshooter leafhoppers (Oncometopia nigricans) collected monthly from a blighted citrus grove. The percentage of O. nigricans carrying bacteria reached a peak of 10% in August 1980. O. nigricans from the same collections transmitted a xylem-limited bacterium to ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) but not to grape (Vitis vinifera), periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), rough lemon (Citrus jambhiri), or American elder (Sambucus canadensis). The bacterium reacted with fluorescein-labeled antiserum to the Pierce’s disease bacterium.

Keyword(s): Cicadellidae, citrus blight, rickettsialike bacteria.