Oranges bug 'hacks insect behaviour' - BBC News
New research suggests that a bacterium, thought to be the cause of a deadly disease of citrus plants, aids its own spread by altering insect behaviour.
The University of Florida's Dr Kirsten Pelz Stelinski, who has been studying the disease, highlighted some of the consequences of the infection during a recent interview with the BBC's Science in Action.
"The leaves start to yellow and [grow] mottled in appearance, the branches begin to die back, the root system dies back and ultimately the tree declines and dies," she said.
To get from plant to plant the bacterium has to rely on an insect carrier called the Asian psyllid.
As the name suggests, the psyllid is native to Asia but is thought to have been spread to other parts of the world on shipments of citrus plants - an unforeseen consequence of global trade.
Dr Pelz-Stelinski also said that their findings suggest that the bacterium affects other aspects of the insect's behaviour to increase its chances of transmission.
"The bacteria can impact psyllid behaviour by causing psyllids to move more frequently and to move, or fly for a longer duration.
"So it actually increases the propensity for movement… so in that sense it is also driving itself out into the environment more, by manipulating its vehicle."
The researchers hope that these insights will provide new possibilities for controlling citrus greening disease.
side note
that all we need an other hacking forum lol
New research suggests that a bacterium, thought to be the cause of a deadly disease of citrus plants, aids its own spread by altering insect behaviour.
The University of Florida's Dr Kirsten Pelz Stelinski, who has been studying the disease, highlighted some of the consequences of the infection during a recent interview with the BBC's Science in Action.
"The leaves start to yellow and [grow] mottled in appearance, the branches begin to die back, the root system dies back and ultimately the tree declines and dies," she said.
To get from plant to plant the bacterium has to rely on an insect carrier called the Asian psyllid.
As the name suggests, the psyllid is native to Asia but is thought to have been spread to other parts of the world on shipments of citrus plants - an unforeseen consequence of global trade.
Dr Pelz-Stelinski also said that their findings suggest that the bacterium affects other aspects of the insect's behaviour to increase its chances of transmission.
"The bacteria can impact psyllid behaviour by causing psyllids to move more frequently and to move, or fly for a longer duration.
"So it actually increases the propensity for movement… so in that sense it is also driving itself out into the environment more, by manipulating its vehicle."
The researchers hope that these insights will provide new possibilities for controlling citrus greening disease.
side note
that all we need an other hacking forum lol
