1. Introduction of an opportunistic bacterial cotton pathogen into bolls by the southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula L.) E. G. Medrano, J. F. Esquivel, and A. A. Bell USDA-ARS-SPARC, College Station, TX

2. Seed Rot of South Carolina Cotton Emerging disease First reported during 1999 in South Carolina Yield losses from 10 to 15% Spread to fields located throughout southeastern Cotton Belt states

3. Disease Symptoms Disease symptoms manifested inside bolls Exterior carpel of immature diseased bolls are non-symptomatic Cross-sections of immature diseased bolls reveal necrotic seed and discolored fiber

4. Previous Work Role of Pantoea agglomerans in opportunistic bacterial seed and boll rot of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) grown in the field ( Medrano and Bell, 2007, Journal of Applied Microbiology- 102, 134-143 ) Transmission of cotton seed and boll rotting bacteria by the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula L. (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) ( Medrano, Esquivel, and Bell, 2007, Journal of Applied Microbiology- in press )

5. Boll inoculated with P. agglomerans Rif (PaRif )* *28-gauge needle simulating insect puncture (Medrano & Bell 2007) rr

6. Comparison of diseased greenhouse* and field cotton *28-gauge needle simulating insect puncture (Medrano & Bell 2007)

7. Cotton Insect Pests Piercing/sucking mouthparts used for feeding on developing fruit Includes stink bugs, lygus, and cotton fleahoppers

8. Insect Transmission Study Method Lab-reared southern green stink bugs (SGSB) were raised on fresh green beans (not sterile) that were replenished every 2 days. Bacterial exposure to insects: Sterilized Green Bean PaRif r H2OH2O Provided to insect for 2 days Soaked 2 min in: or

9. Insect Transmission Study Method (cont’d) Cotton boll harvesting: -Evidence of insect feeding was determined after boll exposure to insects. -Bolls were surface sterilized and then seed and lint tissue were aseptically collected, triturated, and then dilution plated on media with/without Rif. Exposure of cotton bolls to insects: Weeks Post Anthesis: 2 wks Caged 2 days Harvested after: 2 wks

10. Cotton bolls exposed to SGSB PaRif + r PaRif - r

11. Cotton bolls exposed to SGSB PaRif + r PaRif - r

12. Cotton bolls exposed to SGSB PaRif + r PaRif - r

13. Cotton bolls exposed to SGSB PaRif + r PaRif - r