Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 10, 2025

Transmitting Plant Viruses Using Whiteflies
Published on: November 8, 2013
Is there a role for symbiotic bacteria in plant virus transmission by insects?
Patricia V Pinheiro1, Adi Kliot2, Murad Ghanim3
1Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States; Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States; Embrapa Rice and Beans, Santo Antônio de Goiás 75375-000, Brazil.
Abstract:
During the process of circulative plant virus transmission by insect vectors, viruses interact with different insect vector tissues prior to transmission to a new host plant. An area of intense debate in the field is whether bacterial symbionts of insect vectors are involved in the virus transmission process. We critically review the literature in this area and present a simple model that can be used to quantitatively settle the debate. The simple model determines whether the symbiont is involved in virus transmission and determines what fraction of the pathogen transmission phenotype is contributed by the symbiont. The model is general and can be applied to any vector-pathogen-symbiont interactions.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores
Symbiosis
Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria
Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores
Introduction to Plant Diversity

