Cosmos yellows disease transmitted by Macrosteles striifrons in Saga Prefecture

Abstract

A disease of cosmos, showing the symptoms of yellows and witches' broom, was found in Saga Prefecture in 1993. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of numerous mycoplasma like organisms (MLOs) in the phloem tissues of the diseased plants. Of the two leafhoppers tested, Macrosteles striifrons ANUFRIEV and Scleroractus flavopictus ISHIHARA, only M. striifrons transmitted the disease. The host range of cosmos yellows MLO was similar to that of onion yellows MLO already reported in Saga Prefecture.