In 2013 the bacteria Xylella fastidiosa pauca attacked the olive trees of the Apulia (Italy).This caused the death of over 1 million olive trees, with terrible natural and economical consequences.
The scientific illustration shows two olive branches: one in a healthy state (a.) and another infested by the Xylella Fastidiosa bacteria (b.).
The magnifying circle (c.) reports the difference between healthy and infested xylem vessels of an olive leaf, observed by electron microscopy.
Xylella-positive spittlebugs (Philaenus spumarius) transports the bacteria, which then accumulates in the leaf xylem vessels. This impairs the water uptake in the plant, causing the desiccation of leaves and branches.
Technique: hand drawn watercolors, vectorial illustration.
