Relative abilities of different aphid species to act as vectors ofCarrot virus Y

Abstract

The abilities of different aphid species to act as vectors of Carrot virus Y(CarVY) in carrots were studied. Their effectiveness at transmitting the virus from infected to healthy carrot plants was compared using 5–10 min acquisition access feeds. With species that colonise apiaceous hosts, the percentage transmission efficiencies found were Myzus persicae: 56; Dysaphis foeniculus: 19; Aphis spiraecola: 17; D. apiifolia: 13; Hyadaphis foeniculi: 7; Cavariella aegopodii: 4; and H. coriandri: 3. With non-colonising species, the respective transmission efficiencies were Lipaphis erysimi: 34; Hysteroneura setariae: 14; Brevicoryne brassicae: 12; Acyrthosiphon kondoi: 10; Sitobion miscanthi: 7; Rhopalosiphum maidis: 2; and R. padi: 0.5. When flying aphids were trapped on vertical nets near to a CarVY-infected carrot planting, 11 out of 101 H. foeniculi caught transmitted the virus to carrot seedlings but the 13 other aphids caught, which belonged to three non-colonising species, did not. If present in sufficient numbers, all 14 aphid species that transmitted the virus have the potential to be important CarVY vectors in carrot crops.