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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #128808

Title: DISCOVERING NEW INSECT VIRAL PATHOGENS: WHITEFLY IRIDOVIRUS (HOMOPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE: BEMISIA TABACI)

Author
item Hunter, Wayne
item PATTE, C.P. - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item SINISTERRA, X.H. - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item ACHOR, D.S. - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item FUNK, C.J. - USDA
item POLSTON, J.E. - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Submitted to: Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/8/2001
Publication Date: 11/10/2001
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: This is the first report of an iridescent virus isolated from whiteflies, B. tabaci, collected from the field. Discovery of new viruses of white flies may provide renewed interest in using pathogens in the development of innovative management strategies. A new virus which can infect white flies was discovered by screening the hemolymph from field caught insects on an insect cell culture. The virus was visualized in cells which were examined using electron microscopy and the virus was characterized using DNA molecular techniques. Understanding viral diseases of insects provides valuable information on how to develop new management strategies.

Technical Abstract: This is the first report of an iridescent virus isolated from whiteflies, B. tabaci, collected from the field. Adult whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci, collected from the field were screened for viral pathogens using a cell line of the whitefly, B. tabaci, B biotype, (syn. B. argentifolii). Homogenates from the field collected whiteflies were applied to cell cultures and checked for cytopathic effects (CPE). Cells were observed to develop cytoplasmic inclusions and have a change in morphology. Virus was observed using transmission electron microscopy. The virus particles were icosahedral in shape and approximately 120-130 nm diameter, located near the cell nucleus. Analysis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Southern blot hybridization, and DNA sequencing confirmed the virus discovered infecting the whitefly cell cultures was an Iridovirus. Discovery of new viruses of whiteflies may provide renewed interest in using pathogens in the development of innovative management strategies.