Insights Into Insect Vector Transmission and Epidemiology of Plant-Infecting Fijiviruses.

Lu Zhang,Nan Wu,Xifeng Wang,Yingdang Ren

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2021.628262

Abstract

Viruses in genus Fijivirus (family Reoviridae) have caused serious damage to rice, maize and sugarcane in American, Asian, European and Oceanian countries, where seven plant-infecting and two insect-specific viruses have been reported. Because the planthopper vectors are the only means of virus spread in nature, their migration and efficient transmission of these viruses among different crops or gramineous weeds in a persistent propagative manner are obligatory for virus epidemics. Understanding the mechanisms of virus transmission by these insect vectors is thus key for managing the spread of virus. This review describes current understandings of main fijiviruses and their insect vectors, transmission characteristics, effects of viruses on the behavior and physiology of vector insects, molecular transmission mechanisms. The relationships among transmission, virus epidemics and management are also discussed. To better understand fijivirus-plant disease system, research needs to focus on the complex interactions among the virus, insect vector, insect microbes, and plants.

Highlights

Plant-infecting fijiviruses have double-shelled, icosahedral particles approximately 70 nm in diameter, with spherical, short surface spikes (A spikes) on each of the 12 vertices of the icosahedron (Harding et al, 2006; Attoui et al, 2012)
This review summarizes current insights of vectors for different fijiviruses, effect of viruses on the behavior and physiology of vectors, molecular determinants involved in the interaction between vector insects and the viruses, and ecological impacts of transmission biology on disease epidemiology
Fijivirus epidemics are related to various biotic and non-biotic factors, so to better understand this complex pathosystem, and provide accurate predictions and control measures, further study of transmission biology should be explored to reveal the reasons of the intermittent epidemics

Summary

Introduction

Plant-infecting fijiviruses have double-shelled, icosahedral particles approximately 70 nm in diameter, with spherical, short surface spikes (A spikes) on each of the 12 vertices of the icosahedron (Harding et al, 2006; Attoui et al, 2012). Plant infecting fijiviruses are only spread by planthoppers vectors except garlic dwarf virus (GDV) through vegetative propagation materials (Nault, 1994). Fijivirus epidemics around the world can largely be attributed to the population density and transmission efficiency of their planthopper vectors among the different crops or gramineous weeds.

Results

Conclusion