Transmission of Xylella fastidiosa by Acrogonia virescens and Homalodisca ignorata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) to citrus plants.

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the transmission of Xylella fastidiosa by Homalodisca ignorata, Acrogonia virescens, Molomea cincta and Teletusa limpida to citrus plants. Adults of these species were collected in the field and caged in CVC-diseased plants for an acquisition access period (AAP) of X. fastidiosa of 48h. The sharpshooters were then transferred to healthy seedling of 'Caipira' sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] for an inoculation access period (IAP) of 48h. Three, four, five, or two replications were used, respectively, for H. ignorata, A. virescens, M. cincta and T. limpida, and for each plot, 10 plants with a group of 10 insects were employed. In addition, 10 non-inoculated plants were kept as controls. The plants were periodically evaluated for C VC symptoms and tested for the presence of X. fastidiosa by PCR and DAS-ELISA. Symptoms were observed on 2 plants inoculated by H. ignorata and by A. virescens, 10 months after inoculation. PCR and ELISA tests were positive for symptomatic plants and negative for asymptomatic ones. No symptoms or infection by X. fastidiosa were observed on plants exposed to M. cincta and T limpida. Transmission rates by single individuals of H. ignorata and A. virescens were 0.5 and 0.3%, respectively.