Detection of Spiroplasma citri , the Causal Agent of Citrus Stubborn Disease in the Field Collected Leafhoppers in Southern Kerman Province

Citrus stubborn disease is caused by the helical mollicute Spiroplasma citri. The pathogen is naturally transmitted by sap feeding leafhopper vectors. In the present study attempts were made to detect S. citri in presumptive vectors. Leafhoppers were collected from various wild and cultivated plants in citrus growing areas in Jirfot. Fifteen leafhopper species were identified and 12 species were analyzed for the possibility of carrying S. citri with an antiserum prepared against a citrus strain of S. citri by indirect ELISA. S. citri was detected in leafhopper species by ELISA in Austroagallia sinuata, Psammotettix alienus, Circulifer haematoceps, Orosius albicinctus and Psamotettix striatus. However, S. citri was isolated only from the last three leafhopper species in LD10 medium. These leafhoppers were primarily captured from sesame fields. Therefore, these potential vectors and sesame farms may play a key role in the epidemiology of S. citri in the surveyed area.