Chapter 20 - Mite (Acari Acarina) vectors involved in transmission of plant viruses

Abstract

A virus is a small infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of other organisms, including several groups of mites (Arachnida). A lot of plant viruses depend on plant-feeding mites for their persistence, transmission, and spreading. Worldwide, spider mites (family Tetranychidae), false spider mites or flat mites (family Tenuipalpidae) and other mites occurring in Tarsonemidae and Eriophyoide families, are polyphagous and are serious pests of many agricultural and horticultural plants. These mites can cause plant diseases or transport and inoculate viruses, resulting in severe or even crippling losses to several cereals, along with pulse crops and fruit trees, for the perpetuation of viruses and their vectors. Management of these mite vectors through genetic host resistance, adoption of cultural practices, chemical applications, and various regulatory measures is recommended. The development of new biotechnology-based strategies to reduce transmission by vectors and to decrease vector populations are attractive because these target pathways in the transmission of viruses.