Transmission of Beet Mosaic Virus from Stellaria media and Capsella bursa-pastoris by Myzus ascalonicus Doncaster

Abstract

DURING the winter of 1955–56, Myzus ascalonicus Doncaster was observed hibernating on chickweed (Stellaria media) in the field at Gembloux, next to a place where fodder beet had been cultivated in 1955 and harvested in October of the same year. With the view of testing if any of the aphids were bearers of beet viruses, adults and larvae of the spring generation were put on fodder beet seedlings var. ‘Jaune de Vauriac’ for 48 hr. (5–10 aphids a plant), between April 5 and May 2, 1956. After 20–30 days, three of the eighteen tested beets showed chlorotic and yellow translucid circular or irregular little spots on the young leaves. The symptoms were attenuated on the older leaves; these last became narrow and showed interveinal yellowing. The plants were stunted. Later, one of the infected beets showed a regular vein yellowing on the young leaves.