Invisible invaders: Insect-transmitted viruses threaten agriculture
Authors
Robert L. GilbertsonDiane E. Ullman
Raquel Salati
Douglas P. Maxwell
Elizabeth E. Grafton-Cardwell
MaryLou Polek
Authors Affiliations
R.L. Gilbertson is Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology; D.E. Ullman is Professor, Department of Entomology, UC Davis; R. Salati is Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, UC Davis; D.P. Maxwell is Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin, Madison; E.E. Grafton-Cardwell is Associate Extension Integrated Pest Management Specialist, Department of Entomology, UC Riverside; M.L. Polek is Program Manager/Plant Pathologist, Central California Tristeza Eradication Agency, CDFA.Publication Information
Hilgardia 52(2):23-28. DOI:10.3733/ca.v052n02p23. March 1998.
PDF of full article, Cite this article
Abstract
The vast movement of people and agricultural products between distant geographical regions has created unprecedented opportunities for introducing plant viruses and the insects that carry them (vectors) to new areas. Outbreaks of new viruses may be favored in these agroecosystems by crop susceptibility, the presence of particular weeds and certain agricultural practices. In some cases, conditions in these ecosystems may be ideal for the emergence of altered plant viruses and new virus/vector relationships. This may result in the appearance of insect-transmitted plant viruses in crops and regions where they have not been seen before. Because plant viruses and their insect vectors are intimately linked, the status of both must be considered in formulating strategies to prevent or slow their introduction, as well as to manage any invasions. To illustrate these points we highlight two situations that could threaten California agriculture. First, a devastating plant virus, tomato yellow leaf curl geminivirus, is not present in California, but an insect (the silverleaf whitefly) that transmits it is present. Second, the brown citrus aphid is not present in California, but a citrus virus (citrus tristeza closterovirus) that this insect efficiently spreads, is present.
References
Cohen S., Antignus Y. Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), a whitefly-borne geminivirus of tomatoes. Advances in Disease Vector Research. Vol. 10. 1994. New York: Springer-Verlag. p 259–288
Dickson CR, Flock RA, Johnson M McD. Insect transmission of citrus quick decline virus. Econ Entomol. 1951. 44:172-176.
Dickson CR, Johnson MMcD, Flock RA, Laird EF. Flying aphid populations in Southern California citrus groves and their relation to the transmission of the tristeza virus. Phytopathology. 1956. 46:204-210.
Dodds JA, Gumpf DJ. Citrus tristeza virus in Central California. Citrograph. 1991. 76:4-11.
Garnsey SM, Gumpf DJ, Roistacher CN, Civerolo EL., Lee RF, Yokomi RK., Bar-Joseph M. Toward a standardized evaluation of the biological properties of citrus tristeza virus. Phytophylactica. 1987. 19:151-157.
Polston JE, Bois D, C-A Serra, Concepcion S. First report of a tomato yellow leaf curl-like geminivirus in the Western Hemisphere. Plant Disease. 1994. 78:831-
Nakhla MK, Maxwell DP, Martinez RT, Carvalho MG, Gilbertson RL. Widespread occurrence of the Eastern Mediterranean strain of tomato yellow leaf curl geminivirus in tomatoes in the Dominican Republic. Plant Disease. 1994. 78:926-
Raccah B, Bar-Joseph M, Loebenstein G., Scott P.R., Bainbridge A. The role of aphid vectors and variation in virus isolates in the epidemiology of tristeza disease. Plant Disease Epidemiology. 1978. New York: Blackwell Scientific Publications.
Yokomi RK, Lastra R, Stoetzel MB, Damsteegt VD, Lee RF, Garnsey SM, Gottwald TR, Rocha-Pena MA, Niblett CL. Establishment of the brown citrus aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) in Central America and the Caribbean Basin and transmission of citrus tristeza virus. J Econ Entomol. 1994. 87:1078-1085.
Also in this issue:
Response of soils to sodic and saline conditionsNew facilities to foster solutions for exotic pests
Lizards slay Lyme disease spirochetes
Introduction: Exotic pests
Center for Exotic Pest Research tackles controversy
Silverleaf whitefly extends range
Scientists see spike in Africanized bee numbers
Blessing or curse? Varroa mite impacts Africanized bee spread and beekeeping
Invasion biology: Rethinking our response to alien species
IPM helps control elm leaf beetle
Persistent silverleaf whitefly exploits desert crop systems
Ravenous Formosan subterranean termites persist in California
Cracks affect infiltration of furrow crop irrigation
A better tick-control trap: Modified bait tube controls disease-carrying ticks and fleas