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Tobacco Mosaic Virus: Can Aphids Inoculate It Into Plants With Their Mouthparts?. Kerry F. Harris, Research Station, Canada Agriculture, Fredericton, N. B., Canada, Present address of senior author: Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, E. Lansing 48823; R. H. E. Bradley, Research Station, Canada Agriculture, Fredericton, N. B., Canada. Phytopathology 63:1343-1345. Accepted for publication 11 April 1973. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-63-1343.

The aphids Myzus persicae and Macrosiphum euphorbiae failed to inoculate plants with tobacco mosaic virus in several experiments in which they were allowed to probe and feed on virus-coated leaves of the local lesion host Nicotiana glutinosa. Contrary to what has been claimed for four decades, aphids are apparently unable to inoculate this highly infectious virus into plants with their mouthparts.