INSECT VECTOR OF PHYTOPLASMA

Phytoplasma are insect transmitted pathogen that cause diseases in various plant species. They are restricted to phloem, vector by phloem-feeding insect belonging to the families Cicadellidae, Fulgoridae and Psyllidae. The phytoplasmas and their insect vectors interaction involved complex and depends on vectoring abilities and the significances of infection on vectors. The pathogen enters to gut of phloem feeding insect vector passively, penetrate gut wall and infect various tissues. Successfully transmitted pathogen enters salivary glands across the barriers in salivary gland and eject with saliva. The relationship between pathogen and vector are persistent, propagative and transovarial and their association may be beneficial or deleterious. The vectoring capability lies on sex, age, genus and abiotic factor influencing vector distribution and life cycle.