Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) directly affects the feeding and reproduction behavior of its vector, Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

Abstract

BackgroundSouthern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) is a recently discovered member of the genus Fijivirus and it is transmitted by the rice whitebacked planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera (Horváth). It was found that SRBSDV infected vectors might contribute negatively to the WBPH population, although the longer nymphal period might benefit viral acquisition, transmission and increase infection rate. The interaction between SRBSDV and its vector need to be further explored to gain better understanding of the dispersal of WBPH and the spread of virus disease, in particular the feeding and reproduction behavior of viruliferous WBPH.MethodsNewly hatched nymphs of WBPH were fed on healthy rice plant after feeding on SRBSDV-infected rice plants for 2 h, and newly emerged adults were numbered and tested. Feeding behaviors of WBPH adults were monitored electronically within a Faraday cage using a Giga-4 DC EPG amplifier. The newly emerged adults were paired, and the fecundity and egg hatchability were investigated. WBPH was molecularly identified for SRBSDV when they dead. According to the identification results, data on viruliferous and non-viruliferous WBPH were collected and analyzed.ResultsFeeding behavior of viruliferous WBPH was different from those of non-viruliferous WBPH. Frequency of phloem sap ingestion of viruliferous WBPH increased significantly, however the total feeding duration did not increase markedly. When both WBPH parents were infected with SRBSDV, their fecundity and hatchability of the eggs produced were significant lower than those of normal WBPH parents. However, if only one of the parents was viruliferous, fecundity and egg hatchability were only slightly affected.ConclusionsViruliferous WBPH fed on the phloem more frequently than non-viruliferous WBPH and can thus contribute to virus transmission. When both vector parents are viruliferous fecundity and hatchability of the eggs were significantly reduced. However when only one of the parents WBPH was viruliferous, there were no significant effects.

EPG Recordings Reveal Differential Feeding Behaviors in Sogatella furcifera in Response to Plant Virus Infection and Transmission Success

“…Our previous study demonstrated that the WBPH nymph duration as well as the female fecundity and longevity were significantly affected by SRBSDV, either directly (by infection of WBPH) or indirectly (by infection of rice plants) 15 . Other studies reported similar results for the same virus-vector interaction 13 16 .…”

Rice stripe virus affects the viability of its vector offspring by changing developmental gene expression in embryos

“…Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) infected vectors Bemisia tabaci exhibit a reduced fecundity of approximately 40–50% 14 . Similarly, the white-backed planthopper ( Sogatella furcifera ), the vector of Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV), dramatically reduces their oviposition when the parents are infected with SRBSDV 15 16 . However, the vector green leafhopper ( Nephotettix cincticeps ) increased their fecundity when they fed on Rice dwarf virus (RDV)-infected rice plants 17 .…”

Rice Reoviruses in Insect Vectors

“…Growing evidence has shown that the persistent propagation of plant viruses adversely affects insect vectors, including prolonging the nymphal stages, shortening adult longevity, reducing survival rate, or decreasing fecundity (22,59,63,77,102,103,123). These adverse changes could be attributed to direct effects of virus-insect interactions or indirect effects of the components from diseased plants.…”