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10-Minute Paper

Plant-Insect Ecosystems

P-IE: Vectors of Plant Diseases

Gut wrenching: Washington State X-disease epidemiology, vector survey, and management update

Wednesday, November 8, 2023
3:54 PM – 4:06 PM ET
Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor 3
In-Person
X-disease phytoplasma has reached epidemic levels in Washington State leading to the removal of vast amounts of cherry acreage. The most recent X-disease vector survey in Washington occurred in the 1950’s and found six species of leafhopper to transmit X-disease but relied solely on plant symptoms to confirm transmission. With the progression of molecular-based techniques, acquisition and transmission of X-disease can be confirmed using DNA presence instead of symptoms. From 2021-2022 we collected leafhoppers from 24 orchards across Central Washington during each of the three vector generation peaks (June, August, and October), sorted them by species, and tested them for X-disease phytoplasma using qPCR and performed gut content analysis on known vectors. Leafhoppers of unknown vector status were tested in batches of 10 specimens. Known vectors were dissected transversely at the thorax and abdomen and each half was tested separately to determine if they had acquired X-disease (positive body) and if they could transmit it (positive head). X-disease phytoplasma was not detected in any of the leafhoppers species with unknown vector status. Colladonus montanus reductus was the most abundant leafhopper vector captured followed by Euscelidius variegatus. Both C. m. reductus and C. geminatus had higher titers of X-disease phytoplasma in their heads later in the season with very few positive in the spring. Interestingly, E. variegatus only tested positive in the bodies, likely due to its longer latency period. These results will help growers and future researchers to focus on the primary vector species of importance for X-disease management.