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Pierce’s disease precludes the establishment of industries based on plums or European-grape varieties. Pierce’s disease is caused by a xylem-limited bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa (Figure 1) and is vectored by leafhoppers. The glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca coagulata) (Figure 2) feeds exclusively on xylem fluid. It is the primary vector in north Florida, and has recently been introduced to California where it threatens a 30 billion dollar grape industry. Peach, almond and numerous ornamental species are also affected by X. fastidiosa. Our primary research emphasis is interdisciplinary and involves the xylem chemistry mediation of the bacterium and the vector. We are interested in the physiological and biochemical factors that influence feeding abundance, growth, fecundity and ovipositional preference of the vector as an adjunct to control this disease. We are also interested in the biochemical factors that are responsible for growth and colonization of the bacterium in- vitro and movement in the plant (Mizell, Cooperator on Entomology Projects). Our secondary interest is the nutritional ecology of thrips. Thrips are major pests worldwide and cause many millions of dollars in damage. They feed on many plant species including tomatoes and pepper where they mainly feed on flowers and pollen. They impart direct damage by their feeding and oviposition, and also vector the tomato spotted wilt virus. Very little is known concerning the mechanism concerning their distribution on various plant species and different plant tissues. Our objective is to examine the biochemical constituents associated with thrips (Funderburk, Olson, Momol, Cooperators). [Andersen]
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