VIEW ARTICLE

Vector Relations

Transmission of Citrus Tristeza Virus by the Melon Aphid. B. Raccah, Virus Laboratory, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel; G. Loebenstein(2), and M. Bar-Joseph(3). (2)(3)Virus Laboratory, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel. Phytopathology 66:1102-1104. Accepted for publication 5 March 1976. Copyright © 1976 The American Phytopathological Society, 3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121. All rights reserved.. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-66-1102.

The VT isolate of citrus tristeza virus was transmitted efficiently by ten aphids (36%), and even with five aphids per test plant substantial transmissions (11%) were obtained. No transmission was obtained from acquisition or infection feeding periods of 5 minutes, and about 6 hours for each period was required to obtain near-maximal transmissions. Melon aphids retained inoculativity after 3.5 hours of post-acquisition fasting and when feeding for 2 or 6 hours on an intermediate cucumber plant or lime seedling, respectively. These features are characteristic of a semipersistent mode of transmission.