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The Effect of the Hoja Blanca Virus on its Insect Vector. Peter R. Jennings, Leader, InterAmerican Rice Program, Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical, Apartado Aéreo 67-13, Cali, Colombia; Alicia Pineda T, Laboratory Technician, Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical, Apartado Aéreo 67-13, Cali, Colombia. Phytopathology 61:142-143. Accepted for publication 19 August 1970. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-61-142.

The hoja blanca virus of rice had a deleterious effect on its vector, Sogatodes oryzicola. Viruliferous insects laid one-third as many eggs and hatched fewer nymphs than did virus-free insects. Fertility of both females and males was reduced by the virus. The per cent of nymphs reaching adulthood and the longevity of vectors were also reduced. The results explain the low incidence of vectors found in wild type populations of S. oryzicola, and suggest an explanation for the apparent cyclical nature of the hoja blanca disease.