THE SALIVARY SYRINGE OF THE LEAFHOPPER MACROSTELES FASCIFRONS (HOMOPTERA: CICADELLIDAE) AND THE OCCURRENCE OF MYCOPLASMA-LIKE ORGANISMS IN ITS DUCTS

Abstract The morphology and fine structure of the salivary syringe and its associated ducts of the six-spotted leafhopper, Macrosteles fascifrons (Stål), are described and illustrated from sections studied in the light and electron microscopes. Mycoplasma-like organisms (MLOs) were found in both the afferent and efferent ducts of the salivary syringe in insects transmitting aster yellows and in insects not transmitting the disease. The occurrence of MLOs proximal to the valve in the afferent duct proves that they were from the salivary glands and were not regurgitated from the gut or drawn in from outside the insect.