A novel Bacteroidetes symbiont is localized in Scaphoideus titanus, the insect vector of Flavescence doree in Vitis vinifera.

ABSTRACT: Flavescence dorée (FD) is a grapevine disease that afflicts several wine production areas in Europe, from Portugal to Serbia. FD is caused by a bacterium, "Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis," which is spread throughout the vineyards by a leafhopper, Scaphoideus titanus (Cicadellidae). After collection of S. titanus specimens from FD-contaminated vineyards in three different areas in the Piedmont region of Italy, we performed a survey to characterize the bacterial microflora associated with this insect. Using length heterogeneity PCR with universal primers for bacteria we identified a major peak associated with almost all of the individuals examined (both males and females). Characterization by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis confirmed the presence of a major band that, after sequencing,

SUBMITTER: Marzorati M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1392918 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature