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Phyllocoptes parviflori is a distinct species and a vector of the pervasive blackberry leaf mottle associated virus
Tobiasz Druciarek1, Andrea Sierra-Mejia2, Stanislaw K Zagrodzki1
1Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas System Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA; Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland.
Abstract:
Several viruses are transmitted by eriophyid mites (Acariformes: Eriophyoidea) including blackberry leaf mottle-associated emaravirus (BLMaV) (Emaravirus rubi). BLMaV is transmitted by an unidentified eriophyid species and is involved in blackberry yellow vein, a devastating disease in the southeastern United States. In this study, we assessed the eriophyid mite Phylocoptes parviflori as a vector of BLMaV and clarified its taxonomic status as it was previously synonymized with Phyllocoptes gracilis. P. parviflori can efficiently transmit BLMaV. The virus was found to cause yellow vein disease symptoms on 'Ouachita' blackberry marking a paradigm shift as disease symptoms have always been associated with multiple virus infections. Therefore, we propose renaming the virus to blackberry leaf mottle virus. The occurrence of P. parviflori on wild and cultivated blackberries, as well as its ability to colonize other Rubus species, enhances its importance as a major contributor to the spread of yellow vein disease.
Insights
Phylocoptes parviflori efficiently transmits blackberry leaf mottle-associated emaravirus (BLMaV), causing yellow vein disease in blackberries. This mite
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Entomology
- Virology
Background:
- Eriophyid mites transmit several plant viruses, including BLMaV.
- BLMaV causes devastating yellow vein disease in southeastern US blackberries.
- The mite vector for BLMaV was previously unidentified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess Phylocoptes parviflori as a vector for BLMaV.
- To clarify the taxonomic status of P. parviflori.
- To understand the role of P. parviflori in BLMaV transmission and disease spread.
Main Methods:
- Virus transmission assays using P. parviflori.
- Molecular and morphological analyses for mite taxonomy.
- Symptom assessment on infected blackberry plants.
Main Results:
- P. parviflori was confirmed as an efficient vector of BLMaV.
- BLMaV alone caused yellow vein disease symptoms on 'Ouachita' blackberry.
- The mite P. parviflori was taxonomically clarified and distinguished from P. gracilis.
Conclusions:
- P. parviflori is a significant vector for BLMaV, contributing to yellow vein disease.
- BLMaV is proposed to be renamed blackberry leaf mottle virus.
- The widespread occurrence of P. parviflori on Rubus species highlights its importance in disease epidemiology.
