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Stylet-borne virus: active probing by aphids not required for acquisition
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|October 14, 1966
Abstract:
Anesthetized aphids, whose stylets had been dipped into capillaries containing purified concentrated cucumber mosaic virus, acquired the virus and, after recovery from the anesthetic, were able to transmit it in a low percentage of cases. Although this study does not eliminate active probing as a means of virus acquisition, experimentally, it clearly establishes passive contamination of aphid mouthparts as a method of virus acquisition.
Insights
Aphids can pick up cucumber mosaic virus through passive contamination of their mouthparts. This study shows that even without active probing, aphids can acquire and transmit the virus.
Area of Science:
- Plant pathology
- Entomology
- Virology
Background:
- Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is a significant plant pathogen.
- Aphids are primary vectors for CMV transmission.
- Understanding virus acquisition mechanisms is crucial for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of passive contamination in aphid virus acquisition.
- To determine if aphids can acquire CMV without active probing.
Main Methods:
- Anesthetized aphids were exposed to purified CMV in capillaries.
- Virus acquisition was assessed after aphid recovery.
- Transmission efficiency was evaluated.
Main Results:
- Aphids acquired CMV through passive contamination of their stylets.
- A low percentage of aphids transmitted the virus after passive acquisition.
- Active probing was not required for virus acquisition in this experimental setup.
Conclusions:
- Passive contamination of aphid mouthparts is a viable method for CMV acquisition.
- This finding contributes to understanding aphid-virus interactions.
- Further research may explore the implications for CMV epidemiology.