New whitefly-transmitted closterovirus identified in tomatoes

A new virus of tomato, tomato infectious chlorosis virus (TICV), has been identified in both field-and greenhouse-grown tomatoes in California, North Carolina and Italy. TICV is transmitted by the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) in a semipersistent manner. TICV infects a wide range of plant hosts, and has been found naturally infecting Petunia and Ranunculus in greenhouses, and tree tobacco, commercial artichoke and bristly oxtongue in the southern coastal region of California. Because of its wide host range, the prevalence of the greenhouse whitefly in fields and greenhouses, and the movement of susceptible plant hosts within and among countries around the world, TICV is a potential problem for the world's tomato industry. TICV caused an estimated $2 million loss in Orange County in 1993. Control measures include whitefly control, confirmation of TICV infection by a diagnostic test and roguing of infected plants.