Take our AI Survey
Science News has partnered with Trusting News to gather feedback on the potential use of AI in journalism. Currently, we do not publish any content produced by generative AI (see our policy). We do want to hear your views on how Science News could use AI responsibly. Let us know by participating in a short 10 question survey.
The bacterium spreads among grapevines via insects, specifically sharpshooter leafhoppers and spittlebugs. When the insects suck sap from an infected plant, they pick up the microbe, which harmlessly multiplies in their mouths. Leafhoppers and spittlebugs then transmit the pathogen to vines when they latch onto a healthy plant. The subsequent infection prevents water and nutrients from flowing into the plant, eventually killing it.
There’s still no treatment for Pierce’s disease. Perhaps one day it will be possible to genetically engineer domesticated grapevines to be resistant to the bacteria.
Read the full article here