MYCOPLASMA-LIKE BODIES, RICKETTSIA-LIKE BODIES, AND SALIVARY BODIES IN THE SALIVARY GLANDS AND SALIVA OF THE LEAFHOPPER MACROSTELES FASCIFRONS (HOMOPTERA: CICADELLIDAE)

Abstract

Examination of the salivary glands and the saliva of the six-spotted leafhopper, Macrosteles fascifrons (Stål), with the transmission electron microscope revealed three kinds of membrane-limited bodies. Typical mycoplasma-like bodies (MLBs) were found in the salivary glands of leafhoppers transmitting aster yellows, but were absent in those never exposed to a disease source. Rickettsia-like bodies (RLBs) and other small bodies named salivary bodies (SBs), apparently associated with the secretion of saliva, were found in both transmitting and nontransmitting leafhoppers. Pronase digested the SBs in 20 min and pepsin in 2 h, but neither enzyme had any effect on MLBs or RLBs.