Phytoparasitica (2003) 31 (3) - Identification of leafhopper ...
Phyllis G. Weintraub, A. Gera and A. Rosner (2003)
Identification of leafhopper vector(s) of a phytoplasma associated with a new disease of Limonium hybrids
Phytoparasitica 31 (3)
Abstracts 20th Conference of the Entomological Society of Israel, Feb. 11-12, 2003
Abstract: Symptoms typical of a phytoplasma infection were observed on a large number of Limonium hybrids in Israel in October 2000. Examination by electron microscopy of samples from diseased plants revealed the presence of pleiomorphic membrane-bound bodies in the phloem cells. Diseased plants were analyzed additionally by PCR using universal and nested primers and revealed an amplification product of 1143 bp. Sequence analysis showed that this was an Elm Yellows phytoplasma. This is the first published record of this phytoplasma in Israel. A survey was made of leafhoppers in Limonium hybrid crops: one known phytoplasma vector was present in very large numbers, about tenfold greater than any other species (Orosius orientalis (Matsumura)); three other known vectors were present in low to moderate numbers (Circulifer haematoceps complex (Mulsant et Rey), C. tenellus complex (Baker) and Exitianus capicola Stal); individual specimens of other vectors were found occasionally. Field-collected specimens of these four species were shown to vector phytoplasma to healthy Limonium hybrid seedlings. A laboratory colony of O. orientalis was additionally shown to be able to acquire the phytoplasma from infected Limonium hybrids and subsequently vector it to healthy seedlings.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Phyllis G. Weintraub, Abed Gera
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
transmission/dispersal of plant diseases
surveys/sampling/distribution
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orosius orientalis | Limonium (crop) | Israel | ||
| Phytoplasma ulmi | Limonium (crop) | Israel | ||
| Exitianus capicola | Limonium (crop) | Israel |
