Settling preferences of the whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci on infected plants varies with virus family and transmission mode

Author(s)

Prado Maluta, Nathalie Kristine ^[1] ; Fereres, Alberto ^[2] ; Spotti Lopes, Joao Roberto ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, ESALQ, Dept Entomol & Acarol, BR-13418900 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] CSIC, ICA, Dept Protecc Vegetal, E-28006 Madrid - Spain

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata; v. 165, n. 2-3, p. 138-147, DEC 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 9

Abstract

Virus infection may change not only the host-plant phenotypic (morphological and physiological) characteristics, but can also modify the behavior of their insect vector in a mutualistic or rather antagonistic manner, to promote their spread to new hosts. Viruses differ in their modes of transmission and depend on vector behavior for successful spread. Here, we investigated the effects of the semi-persistently transmitted Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV, Crinivirus) and the persistent circulative Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV, Begomovirus) on alighting preferences and arrestment behavior of their whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Middle East Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Santa Clara, Solanaceae). The vector alighting preferences between infected and uninfected plants in choice assays were apparently influenced by the presence of ToCV and ToSRV in the whiteflies or by their previous exposure to infected plants. The observed changes in vector behavior do not seem to benefit the spread of ToCV: non-viruliferous insects clearly preferred mock-inoculated plants, whereas ToCV-viruliferous insects landed on mock-inoculated and ToCV-infected plants, indicating a partial change in insect behavior - ToCV was able to directly affect the preference of its vector B.tabaci, but this change in insect behavior did not affect the virus spread because viruliferous insects landed on mock-inoculated and infected plants indistinctly. In contrast, ToSRV-viruliferous insects preferred to land on mock-inoculated plants, a behavior that increases the probability of spread to new host plants. In the arresting behavior assay, the majority of the insects remained on mock-inoculated plants when released on them. A greater number of insects moved toward mock-inoculated plants when initially released on ToCV- or ToSRV-infected plants, suggesting that these viruses may repel or reduce the nutritional quality of the host plants for B.tabaci MEAM1. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/24974-1 - Biological and behavioral responses of Bemisia tabaci biotype B in tomato infected plants with Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV)
• Grantee: Nathalie Kristine Prado Maluta
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 12/51771-4 - Begomovirus and Crinivirus in Solanaceae: molecular epidemiology and management strategies
• Grantee: Jorge Alberto Marques Rezende
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants