U.S. Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, Nebraska
Date of this Version
1970
Citation
The U.S. Government Workers
Abstract
The subject of mite transmission of plant viruses has been reviewed several times by Slykhuis (122, 124,126,128). A considerable number of papers on this subject have been published since Slykhuis's last review; several constitute significant additions to the knowledge of the relationships between mites and the plant viruses they transmit.
Except, perhaps, for the apparent case of transmission of potato virus Y by Tetranychus telarius (107), the only proven mite vectors of plant viruses are certain members of the family Eriophyidae. In 1927, Amos et al. (2) reported a positive correlation between the infestation of black currants with the black currant gall mite (Cecidophyopsis ribis) and the development of reversion disease. Each of the reports by Massee (69), Smith (135), and Thresh (145), which appeared much later, contributed to the incrimination of C. ribis as the vector of currant reversion virus. Shortly after Massee's report appeared in 1952 several other eriophyid mites were incriminated as vectors of plant viruses. Slykhuis (118-120) reported that Aceria tulipae transmitted both wheat streak mosaic virus and wheat spot mosaic virus. Flock & Wallace (34) reported that Aceria ficus transmitted fig mosaic virus. Wilson et al. (166) reported an undescribed species of Eriophyes [later described by Keifer & Wilson and named E. insidiosus (60)] as a vector of the peach mosaic virus. Then Mulligan (79,80) showed that Aba carus hystrix transmitted ryegrass mosaic virus.
Since Mulligan's report in 1958, a few additional cases of apparent eriophyid transmission of plant viruses have been reported; however, several of these need confirmation.
Comments
Annual Review of Entomology, Vol. 15, 1970