Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #168790

Title: PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF TWO BIOTYPES OF APHIS GOSSYPII ON THE TRANSMISSION OF CITRUS TRISTEZA VIRUS.

Author
item Yokomi, Raymond - Ray
item JOOST, J - UNIV OF CA-RIVERSIDE
item Backus, Elaine

Submitted to: Conference of International Organization of Citrus Virologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/16/2004
Publication Date: 11/2/2004
Citation: Yokomi, R.K., Joost, J.H., Backus, E.A. 2004. Preliminary evaluation of two biotypes of aphis gossypii on the transmission of citrus tristeza virus. [Abstract] Conference of International Organization of Citrus Virologists. p.136.

Interpretive Summary: INTERPERATIVE SUMMARY: Aphis gossypii is the primary vector of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) in California and exists as two distinct biotypes: the melon aphid; and the cotton aphid. These biotypes are morphologically indistinguishable but have distinct host ranges. Both aphids have a wide host range outside of citrus and presumably feed and colonize citrus during the aphid's peak migration periods. Both A. gossypii biotypes were established in the laboratory and the host range, feeding behavior, and propensity for the transmission of CTV were examined. The melon aphid fed and developed on other hosts more than the cotton aphid. Preliminary analysis of probing behavior examined by direct current (DC) electrical penetration graph (EPG) monitoring on seedlings of the citrus cultivars Madam Vinous and Mexican lime indicated that the melon aphid probed more and ingested longer on both hosts than the cotton aphid. The melon aphid transmitted three of four CTV isolates with higher efficiency than the cotton aphid using Mexican lime as receptor plants. The role of the two biotypes of A. gossypii in relation to vector efficiency and epidemiology of CTV will be discussed.

Technical Abstract: TECHNICAL ABSTRACT: Aphis gossypii is the primary vector of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) in California and exists as two distinct biotypes: the melon aphid; and the cotton aphid. These biotypes are morphologically indistinguishable but have distinct host ranges. Both aphids have a wide host range outside of citrus and presumably feed and colonize citrus during the aphid's peak migration periods. Both A. gossypii biotypes were established in the laboratory and the host range, feeding behavior, and propensity for the transmission of CTV were examined. The melon aphid fed and developed on other hosts more than the cotton aphid. Preliminary analysis of probing behavior examined by direct current (DC) electrical penetration graph (EPG) monitoring on seedlings of the citrus cultivars Madam Vinous and Mexican lime indicated that the melon aphid probed more and ingested longer on both hosts than the cotton aphid. The melon aphid transmitted three of four CTV isolates with higher efficiency than the cotton aphid using Mexican lime as receptor plants. The role of the two biotypes of A. gossypii in relation to vector efficiency and epidemiology of CTV will be discussed.