Journal of Applied Entomology (2013) 137, 488-498

P.A. Ogada, E. Maiss and H.-M. Poehling (2013)
Influence of Tomato spotted wilt virus on performance and behaviour of western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)
Journal of Applied Entomology 137 (7), 488-498
Abstract: The general principles in pathogen transmission by insects involve a complex and specific interplay, in this case between thrips, tospovirus and their shared host plant, which has led to outbreaks of crop disease epidemics of economic and social importance. The possible processes and factors driving their co-evolution were partly studied by rearing Frankliniella occidentalis [western flower thrips (WFT)] on either tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV)-infected or uninfected Capsicum annum leaflets throughout their larval stages. Later, pupae were transferred individually on healthy leaf discs for further studies of the influence of TSWV on WFT development and behavioural patterns. The exposure of WFT to TSWV was found to improve performance with regard to longevity and survival, with mean longevity being significantly higher in TSWV-exposed WFT compared to unexposed ones (F_(3,403) = 22.44, P < 0.0001). The observed improvement in survival was as a result of significant reduction in mortality for the WFT individuals exposed to TSWV (F_(3,383) = 849.94, P < 0.0001) compared to the unexposed. However, the results showed a significant reduction in mean daily fecundity overtime (F_10,10) = 246.66, P < 0.0001) and across the four treatments (F_(3,30) = 6.62, P = 0.001), as well as lifetime fecundity (F_(3,23) = 21.23, P < 0.0001) of the WFT exposed to TSWV compared to the unexposed reared on uninfected leaf discs. For preferential test, C. annum leaf discs infected with TSWV were more attractive to WFT as compared to healthy leaf discs (χ²_{(4, 34)} = 112.35, P < 0.0001). These results are envisaged to contribute to a clear understanding into the plant-vector-virus interaction, which is essential for accurate diagnosis and control of the TSWV epidemic, as well as the control of F. occidentalis as crop pest.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Hans-Michael Poehling

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
transmission/dispersal of plant diseases

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Frankliniella occidentalis	Green pepper/chilli (Capsicum)
	Orthotospovirus tomatomaculae	Green pepper/chilli (Capsicum)