Infection by the semi-persistently transmitted Tomato chlorosis virus alters the biology and behaviour of Bemisia tabaci on two potato clones

Abstract

Insect-borne plant viruses usually alter the interactions between host plant and insect vector in ways conducive to their transmission (‘host manipulation hypothesis’). Most studies have tested this hypothesis with persistently and non-persistently transmitted viruses, while few have examined semi-persistently transmitted viruses. The crinivirus Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) is semi-persistently transmitted virus by whiteflies, and has been recently reported infecting potato plants in Brazil, where Bemisia tabaci Middle East Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) is a competent vector. We investigated how ToCV infection modifies the interaction between potato plants and B. tabaci in ways that increase the likelihood of ToCV transmission, in two clones, one susceptible (‘Agata’) and the other moderately resistant (Bach-4) to B. tabaci. Whiteflies alighted and laid more eggs on ToCV-infected plants than mock-inoculated plants of Bach-4. When non-viruliferous whiteflies were released on ToCV-infected plants near mock-inoculated plants, adults moved more intensely towards non-infected plants than in the reverse condition for both clones. Feeding on ToCV-infected plants reduced egg-incubation period in both clones, but the egg–adult cycle was similar for whiteflies fed on ToCV-infected and mock-inoculated plants. Our results demonstrated that ToCV infection in potato plants alters B. tabaci behaviour and development in distinct ways depending on the host clone, with potential implications for ToCV spread.

Feeding behavior in relation to spittlebug transmission of Xylella fastidiosa

“…The same effects can be induced by highly divergent pathogens sharing the same mechanism of transmission (Mauck 2016;Stafford et al 2011;Lefevre and Thomas 2008). According to Moreno-Delafuente et al (2013), persistent circulative viruses are more likely to influence vector behavior given that the vector-pathogen relationship lasts for the entire insect life span, although semi-persistent viruses effects on vector behavior have been documented (Lu et al 2017;Pereira et al 2019). Mauck et al (2019) suggest proteins encoded by pathogens to facilitate interaction with their vectors following acquisition may be co-opted to induce behavioral changes that enhance transmission.…”

Impacts of Cucurbit Chlorotic Yellows Virus (CCYV) on Biological Characteristics of Its Vector Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) MED Species

“…Previous studies have shown that plant viruses can affect insect vectors, but the degrees of influence of different virus-vector combinations are not identical. There have been many reports on alteration of biology and behaviors in insect vectors by persistently transmitted plant viruses, for example, Begomovirus on B. tabaci ( Jiu et al 2007 , Guo et al 2010 , Liu et al 2013 , Maluta et al 2014 , 2017 , 2019 ), and more and more studies have been available on impact of semipersistent viruses on vectors in recent years ( Lu et al 2017 , 2019 , Pereira et al 2019 ). These results suggested that different transmission types of viruses have different effects on vectors ( Maluta et al 2017 , Chesnais et al 2017 ).…”

“…Approximately 80% of the phytovirus depend on vectors for transmission ( Andretlink and Fuchs 2005 , Hohn 2007 ). Virus infection may change not only the phenotypes and volatiles of the host-plants, but can also modify the behaviors of their insect vectors ( Maluta et al 2014 , 2017 , 2019 , Mauck 2016 , Fereres et al 2016 , Chesnais et al 2017 , Pereira et al 2019 ).…”