Homoladisca coagulata (Say) acquire and transmit the causative agent of Pierce’s disease (PD), Xylella fastidiosa. While much attention has been directed to characterize, describe, and understand the establishment of X. fastidiosa within this sharpshooter, little attention has been given to isolation of other microbial inhabitants within the alimentary canal of this sharpshooter. If H. coagulata do possess a normal microbiota, or harbor transient microorganisms for some time period, then these microorganisms may inhibit or possibly facilitate the attachment of X. fastidiosa within GWSS. Determination of either scenario would add to what is currently known about the Pierce’s disease transmission cycle and could be useful for the implementation of a paratransgenic strategy.
Species 1: Homoptera Cicadellidae Homalodisca coagulata (Glassy-winged sharpshooter)
Species 2: Beta Proteobacteria Alcaligenaceae Alcaligenes xylosoxidans
Keywords: Pierce's disease, paratransgenesis
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