The Influence of Visual and Olfactory Cues in Host Selection for Bemisia tabaci Biotype B in the Presence or Absence of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus

Nicholas Johnston,Xavier Martini

doi:10.3390/insects11020115

Nicholas Johnston, Xavier Martini

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11020115

Copy DOI

Journal: Insects	Publication Date: Feb 11, 2020
Citations: 23	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Quincy University, University of Florida

Abstract

The silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, is one of the most destructive agricultural pests in the world, vectoring a large number of devastating viruses, including Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV). When selecting a host, B. tabaci is primarily influenced by a range of visual and olfactory cues. Therefore, elucidating how such cues become modified in the presence of whitefly-vectored begomoviruses is critical to better understanding the epidemiology of many economically important diseases. The goal of this study was to determine how both visual and odor cues interact in the presence of TYLCV. In Y-tube olfactometer assays, whiteflies were submitted to a range of isolated visual and olfactory cues to determine behavioral changes. B. tabaci choices were then compared to both stimuli combined in the presence or absence of TYLCV. Under visual stimuli only, B. tabaci exhibited a visual attraction to the color yellow, TYLCV-infected tomato leaves, and TYLCV-infected tomato volatiles. Attraction was the strongest overall when both visual and olfactory cues from TYLCV-symptomatic tomato plants were combined, as opposed to a single isolated cue. These results highlight the importance of both sensory stimuli during B. tabaci host selection in the presence of an associated begomovirus.

Highlights

Silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidea), is a major economic pest of row crop vegetables, causing widespread feeding damage and vectoring many viruses
tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is a persistent-circulative virus, this pathogen requires 16 to 24 h to become acquired by its whitefly vector
The purpose of this study is to determine B. tabaci natural host selection behavior by evaluating the strength of visually attractive targets in the presence or absence of olfactory cues, in order to gauge the strength of this sensory mode alone or in combination with other cues

Summary

Introduction

Silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidea), is a major economic pest of row crop vegetables, causing widespread feeding damage and vectoring many viruses. Further complications arise during major growing seasons as whitefly populations become increasingly unpredictable and resistant to conventional insecticides [1]. TYLCV is a persistent-circulative virus, this pathogen requires 16 to 24 h to become acquired by its whitefly vector. This period of time is known as an acquisition access period [2]. The virus requires another 17 to 24 h latent period to circulate in the whitefly before the vector can transmit

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion