title: Differential Life History Trait Associations of Aphids with Nonpersistent Viruses in Cucurbits.
abstract: The diversity of vectors and fleeting nature of virus acquisition and transmission renders nonpersistent viruses a challenge to manage. We assessed the importance of noncolonizing versus colonizing vectors with a 2-yr survey of aphids and nonpersistent viruses on commercial pumpkin farms. We quantified aphid alightment using pan traps, while testing leaf samples with multiplex RT-PCR targeting cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), and papaya ringspot virus (PRSV). Overall, we identified 53 aphid species (3,899 individuals), from which the melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, a pumpkin-colonizing species, predominated (76 and 37% of samples in 2010 and 2011, respectively). CMV and ZYMV were not detected, but WMV and PRSV were prevalent, both regionally (WMV: 28/29 fields, PRSV: 21/29 fields) and within fields (infection rates = 69 and 55% for WMV in 2010 and 2011; 28 and 25% for PRSV in 2010 and 2011). However, early-season samples showed extremely low infection levels, suggesting cucurbit viruses are not seed-transmitted and implicating aphid activity as a causal factor driving virus spread. Interestingly, neither noncolonizer and colonizer alightment nor total aphid alightment were good predictors of virus presence, but community analyses revealed species-specific relationships. For example, cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch) and spotted alfalfa aphid (Therioaphis trifolii Monell f. maculata) were associated with PRSV infection, whereas the oleander aphid (Aphis nerii Bover de Fonscolombe) was associated with WMV spread within fields. These outcomes highlight the need for tailored management plans targeting key vectors of nonpersistent viruses in agricultural systems.
authors: Department of Entomology, Purdue University, 901 West State St., West Lafayette, IN 47907. gangelel@purdue.edu.
authors: G M
authors: GM
authors: Angelella
authors: Southwest-Purdue Agricultural Center, 4669 North Purdue Rd., Vincennes, IN 47591.
authors: D S
authors: DS
authors: Egel
authors: Department of Entomology, Purdue University, 901 West State St., West Lafayette, IN 47907.
authors: J D
authors: JD
authors: Holland
authors: USDA-ARS Crop Production and Pest Control Research Unit, Purdue University, 170 South University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907. Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, 915 West State St., West Lafayette, IN 47907.
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Nemacheck
authors: USDA-ARS Crop Production and Pest Control Research Unit, Purdue University, 170 South University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907. Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, 915 West State St., West Lafayette, IN 47907.
authors: C E
authors: CE
authors: Williams
authors: Department of Entomology, Purdue University, 901 West State St., West Lafayette, IN 47907.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Kaplan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001042:Aphids / Q000821:virology*; D028464:Cucurbita / Q000821:virology*; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000821:virology; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000821:virology; D018515:Plant Leaves; D017800:Potyvirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*
keywords: Aphis craccivora; Aphis nerii; Therioaphis trifolii; papaya ringspot virus; watermelon mosaic virus