Open AccessTomato spotted wilt virus Infection Improves Host Suitability for Its Vector Frankliniella occidentalis
Author(s) -
P.C. Maris,
N.N. Joosten,
Rob Goldbach,
D. Peters
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
phytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.264
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1943-7684
pISSN - 0031-949X
DOI - 10.1094/phyto.2004.94.7.706
Subject(s) - biology , western flower thrips , thrips , pepper , tomato spotted wilt virus , host (biology) , tospovirus , datura stramonium , thripidae , horticulture , botany , plant virus , virus , virology , ecology
The effect of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) infection on plant attractiveness for the western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) was studied. Significantly more thrips were recovered on infected than were recovered on noninfected pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants in different preference tests. In addition, more offspring were produced on the virus-infected pepper plants, and this effect also was found for TSWV-infected Datura stramonium. Thrips behavior was minimally influenced by TSWV-infection of host plants with only a slight preference for feeding on infected plants. Offspring development was positively affected since larvae hatched earlier from eggs and subsequently pupated faster on TSWV-infected plants. These results show a mutualistic relationship between F. occidentalis and TSWV.