Journal of Economic Entomology (2011) 104, 1793-1799

E. Carloni, E. Virla, S. Paradell, P. Carpane, C. Nome, I. Laguna and M.P. Giménez Pecci (2011)
Exitianus obscurinervis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a new experimental vector of Spiroplasma kunkelii
Journal of Economic Entomology 104 (6), 1793-1799
Abstract: "Corn stunt" caused by the mollicute Spiroplasma kunkelii (Whitcomb) is potentially one of the most severe diseases affecting the corn (Zea mays L.) crop in the Americas, and the leafhopper Dalbulus maidis (DeLong and Wolcott) is considered its most important vector. However, other insects seen quite frequently in corn crops might well be its vectors in Argentina. To identify any leafhoppers species other than D. maidis that can transmit S. kunkelii, transmission assays were conducted, using individuals of Exitianus obscurinervis (Stål) collected in field and reared under controlled conditions. S. kunkelii was transmitted to corn plants by E. obscurinervis. The pathogen was transmitted to seven of the 11 plants, which showed characteristic corn stunt symptoms, and the presence of the pathogen was confirmed by DAS-ELISA. The presence of S. kunkelii in the E. obscurinervis individuals used in transmission experiments was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and electron microscopy. The current study shows the existence of a new experimental vector of S. kunkelii, the leafhopper E. obscurinervis, which acquired spiroplasmas from infected plants and inoculated it to healthy plants.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Eduardo G. Virla, Irma G. Laguna

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
transmission/dispersal of plant diseases

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Spiroplasma kunkelii	Maize/corn (Zea mays)	Argentina
	Exitianus obscurinervis	Maize/corn (Zea mays)	Argentina