Methods for Thrips Transmission and Maintenance of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV)

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is transmitted by insect pests from the Thripidae family, including Frankliniella occidentalis, commonly known as western flower thrips. For experimental purposes, researchers have developed methods for inoculating host plants with TSWV, allowing thrips to acquire TSWV, and verifying thrips acquisition. Plants can be inoculated with TSWV either mechanically or with thrips in the lab, but in nature, the virus is transmitted by thrips. For the study of tospovirus transmission biology and vector-virus interactions, efficient methods for mechanical and thrips transmission are essential. We have optimized these protocols for TSWV and western flower thrips, but they can also be adapted to other tospovirus-vector systems.