Pierce's Disease is carried by which pest?

Pierce's Disease is carried by which pest?

• A. Aphid
• B. Leafhopper
• C. Mealybug
• D. Glassy-winged sharpshooter

Answer: (D)

Pierce's disease is spread by insects that feed on xylem sap, picking up the Xylella fastidiosa bacteria from an infected plant and inoculating healthy plants as they feed. The glassy-winged sharpshooter is the standout vector because it moves readily between vines, feeds deeply on xylem, and transmits the bacterium efficiently, leading to rapid spread in vineyards. Aphids and mealybugs don’t transmit this bacterium, and while some leafhoppers can carry Xylella, the pest listed that most accurately represents the major vector for Pierce's disease is the glassy-winged sharpshooter.

Pierce's disease is spread by insects that feed on xylem sap, picking up the Xylella fastidiosa bacteria from an infected plant and inoculating healthy plants as they feed. The glassy-winged sharpshooter is the standout vector because it moves readily between vines, feeds deeply on xylem, and transmits the bacterium efficiently, leading to rapid spread in vineyards. Aphids and mealybugs don’t transmit this bacterium, and while some leafhoppers can carry Xylella, the pest listed that most accurately represents the major vector for Pierce's disease is the glassy-winged sharpshooter.