INSECT-SYMBIOTIC BACTERIA INHIBITORY TO XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA (PARATRANSGENESIS FOR CONTROL OF PIERCE’S DISEASE): IDENTIFICATION OF ENDOPHYTIC BACTERIA CYCLED BY GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTERS TO HOST PLANTS Project Leader:

INTRODUCTION Homalodisca coagulata Say, the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) is known to transmit the etiological agent of Pierce’s disease, Xylella fastidiosa. A paratransgenic approach designed to disrupt the ability of the insect vector to transmit the pathogen involves finding bacterial candidates that possess some degree of intimacy either within the insect and/or host plant xylem. Once a candidate(s) is/are found, then avenues open for finding strategies aimed at controlling X. fastidiosa infection and/or transmission, such as paratransgenesis. This report details the survey for, and isolation and identify of candidate bacteria for use in a paratransgenic strategy to control Pierce’s disease. It also includes information about the possible relationship internal extracellular bacteria have with GWSS.