The influence of tomato yellow leaf curl virus on dispersal by Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 in tomato

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), transmits tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), impacting tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., Solanaceae) production globally. The dispersal capacity of viruliferous B. tabaci in tomato fields is not well understood. We hypothesized that TYLCV-viruliferous whiteflies would disperse from plant to plant more quickly compared to non-viruliferous whiteflies. To test this hypothesis, we established two sets of greenhouse experiments. In the first, the vector status experiment, whiteflies were either viruliferous or non-viruliferous at the start of the experiment and were observed on all non-infected tomato host plants. In the second, the host status experiment, whiteflies were all non-viruliferous at the start of the experiment and were observed on either TYLCV-infected or non-infected tomato host plants, so that those feeding on infected plants would acquire the virus within the observed time frames. Dispersal was evaluated after 24-96 h by comparing numbers of adults and eggs on the central plant (i.e., where the insects were released) and plants located some distance away. Results indicate that neither carrying the virus at the onset of the trial nor acquiring the virus during the trial influenced dispersal compared to dispersal by non-viruliferous B. tabaci. Viruliferous and non-viruliferous whiteflies were most abundant on the central plant for all time intervals. Mortality was higher in viruliferous than in non-viruliferous whiteflies. The virus alone does not seem to influence whitefly dispersal under the conditions studied. This has implications for management and control.

Automated summary

The transmission capacity of TYLCV-viruliferous B. tabaci in tomato fields was studied. Results showed that carrying the virus or acquiring the virus during the trial did not influence whitefly dispersal compared to non-viruliferous B. tabaci. Viruliferous and non-viruliferous whiteflies were most abundant on the central plant, and the mortality rate was higher in viruliferous whiteflies. The study suggests that the virus itself does not seem to affect whitefly dispersal.