Leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) Transmission of Aster Yellows Phytoplasma: Does Gender Matter?

摘要: Male and female aster leafhoppers, Macrosteles quadrilineatus Forbes, differ in their ability to transmit the yellows phytoplasma. In laboratory greenhouse experiments, males were up twice as likely females acquire become infected with phytoplasma measured by polymerase chain reaction analysis. Yet, 3 different experimental arenas, significantly more than When confined on single leaves, (55%) (35%) transmitted lettuce plants. cages access 4 plants, 18% 8% of leafhoppers released greenhouse, where relatively unrestricted movement, 29.8% 10.1% The pattern spread was clustered that males. movement feeding behaviors may explain, part, differences observed. We conclude gender does matter transmission leafhopper.