Detection of MLO in Scaphoideus titanus reared on grapevines infected by flavescence dorée
A test using dot hybridization with biotinylated MLO-DNA probes was developed in Italy, in order to check the presence of MLO in Scaphoideus titanus, vector of grapevine flavescence dorée MLO (EPPO A2 quarantine pest). The insects were reared on infected grapevine and then tested. The results showed that MLOs were present in these insects. Though this study did not indicate whether the MLO (or the MLOs) detected is the causal agent of grapevine flavescence dorée, it was consistent with previous trials on insect transmission of grapevine flavescence dorée.
Sources
Bertaccini, A.; Arzone, A.; Alma, A.; Bosco, D.; Vibio, M. (1993) Detection of mycoplasma-like organisms in Scaphoideus titanus Ball reared on flavescence dorée infected grapevine by dot hybridizations using DNA probes.
Phytopathologia Mediterranea, 32 (1), 20-23.