Bemisia tabaci biotype B is considered to be the primary vector of Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV, Crinivirus). However, Trialeurodes abutiloneus also has been shown to transmit SPCSV in a semipersistent manner. Mixed infection of SPCSV with the aphid-transmitted Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV, Potyvirus) causes sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) virus disease (SPVD), the major virus disease affecting this crop. High populations of B. afer sensu lato are seasonally associated with sweetpotato in Peru during times of low B. tabaci incidence. The transmission of SPCSV (in single and double infection with SPFMV) by laboratory-reared B. afer sensu lato and B. tabaci biotype B was investigated. For SPCSV transmission efficiency, individual adult insects were allowed 48 h for acquisition and inoculation access periods at both 20 and 25°C. SPCSV was transmitted by both whiteflies, with similar transmission efficiency when the virus was acquired from plants singly infected by SPCSV or doubly infected with SPCSV and SPFMV, at 20 and 25°C. We conclude that B. afer sensu lato is a newly identified vector of SPCSV. This finding may have important epidemiological significance for the spread of SPCSV and SPVD.

Highlights Development, mortality and reproduction of T. vaporariorum were studied at constant temperatures ranging from 10 to 32 °C. Nonlinear equations were fitted to the data and a temperature-driven process-based phenology/population growth model for the vector pest established. After adjustment, the model gave good predictions when compared with observed life tables and published data. The model can be used for predicting the species distribution potential based on temperature worldwide and adjusting pest management measures.

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Highlights Transmission of potato yellow vein virus by a single whitefly vector was found to be highly temperature dependent. A non-linear mathematical function to describe the relationship between temperature and transmission likelihood was developed. A virus risk index was created by combining the virus transmission function and a whitefly phenology model. Detailed maps were generated indicating the risk of virus transmission using current and predicted future climate scenarios. Maps were used for surveillance of high-risk areas outside the known geographic range of the virus, leading to its discovery in a new region.

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