CIL:19125

Electron micrograph of corn stunt spiroplasma (CSS, Spiroplasma kunkelii, Class Mollicutes) in sieve elements and other phloem cells of infected maize roots. CIL:12587, from the same image group, is an unlabeled version of this image. CSS is a wall-less procaryote that causes corn stunt disease and is biologically transmitted by some leafhopper species, e.g. Dalbulus maidis and D. gelbus (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae). Spiroplasma cells are limited by a unit membrane with no cell wall. They can be quasi-spherical, pleiomorphic or maintain a filamentous/spiral form. CSS multiplies in both plant and insect hosts and is transmitted with salivary secretions during feeding of the vector on new host plants. Related images are available in the Library form this contributor.