Transmission of Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus (MWMV) by Aphids in Greece

Abstract

The aphid-transmitted Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus (MWMV; Potyvirus, Potyviridae) is an emerging pathogen in cucurbit crops in the Mediterranean basin but information on its transmitting vector species is limited. This study aimed to record the competence of 22 species of the Greek aphid fauna to vector MWMV. Timed-probe transmission experiments and arena tests were performed using laboratory colonies of aphid species abundant in field surveys; less common species were tested as apterous individuals collected directly from field plants in mass-inoculation (nonpersistent) tests. Depending on the test, aphids were tested in cohorts of 10 or 20 individuals on zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) plants and the frequency of transmission was calculated for a single aphid. Among 12 species tested in timed-probe transmission tests, Myzus persicae nicotianae (74.0%) appeared to be the most efficient vector, followed by M. persicae (48.0%), Aphis gossypii (11.8%), an unidentified Aphis sp. (11.8%), and A. spiraecola (11.0%). Alatae of nine species tested in arena tests transmitted the virus in rates varying from 0.7 to 53.6%; M. persicae was the most efficient species in virus spread. In mass-inoculation tests, the probability that apterae of 12 aphid species collected from field plants transmitted MWMV fluctuated from 0.3 to 5.3%. No transmission was obtained by Brevicoryne brassicae. The following species are reported as new vectors of MWMV: A. fabae, A. nerii, A. spiraephaga, A. umbrella, Capitophorus eleaegni, Dysaphis (Pomaphis) pyri, Macrosiphoniella sanborni, Macrosiphum rosae, Myzocallis castanicola, Myzus persicae nicotianae, M. cerasi, M. varians, Phorodon humuli, Ovatus crataegarius, Takecallis arundicolens (first report in Greece), Uroleucon sonchi, and U. (Uromelan) aeneum. These results contribute to a better understanding of MWMV epidemiology.

Perfect Complementarity Mechanism for Aphid Control: Oligonucleotide Insecticide Macsan-11 Selectively Causes High Mortality Rate for Macrosiphoniella sanborni Gillette

“…The distribution of the chrysanthemum aphid is associated with greenhouses, horticultural centers, and small private farms around the world (Figure 1). M. sanborni is dangerous not only for the direct damage it causes to buds and young shoots due to feeding on phloem juice, but also for its ability to spread a number of RNA viruses [2], including chrysanthemum virus B, a chrysanthemum vein mottle virus strain, potato virus Y, turnip mosaic virus, watermelon mosaic virus 2 [3], and Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus (MWMV) [4]. In addition, aphids provoke the development of sooty fungi [5].…”

Occurrence, Distribution, and Management of Aphid-Transmitted Viruses in Cucurbits in Spain

“…MWMV is a potyvirus that results from PRSV at the genetic level, with a single-stranded RNA genome of about 10 kb [ 70 ]. Similar to WMV, this virus can be transmitted mechanically, but it is naturally transmitted by aphids in a non-persistent manner [ 71 ]. M. persicae , A. gossypii , and A. spiraecola Patch can efficiently transmit MWMV, with M. persicae and the subspecies M. persicae nicotianae being the most competent vectors in cucurbit crops [ 71 ].…”

“…Similar to WMV, this virus can be transmitted mechanically, but it is naturally transmitted by aphids in a non-persistent manner [ 71 ]. M. persicae , A. gossypii , and A. spiraecola Patch can efficiently transmit MWMV, with M. persicae and the subspecies M. persicae nicotianae being the most competent vectors in cucurbit crops [ 71 ]. Phylogenetic analyses have shown three genetic groups (A-C): Clade A comprises isolates from Tunisia and Europe; clade B, isolates from South Africa; and clade C, isolates from Central Africa [ 72 ].…”

High molecular diversity of full-length genome sequences of zucchini yellow fleck virus from Europe

“…We conducted studies to provide an inventory of common virus diseases of cucurbits in Greece, testing for watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus (MWMV), and zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), which are known to be endemic in Greece [12][13][14] and spread by several aphid species [15,16]. When using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) to analyze a squash (Cucurbita sp.)…”