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Hemolymph as a Reservoir for the Cowpea Strain of Southern Bean Mosaic Virus in the Bean Leaf Beetle. Steven A. Slack, Graduate Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 72701; Howard A. Scott, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 72701. Phytopathology 61:538-540. Accepted for publication 11 December 1970. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-61-538.

The hemolymph of the bean leaf beetle, Cerotoma trifurcata, contained the cowpea strain of southern bean mosaic virus (CP-SBMV) after an acquisition feed on infected cowpea. Beetles transmitted CP-SBMV following injection of purified virus into the hemocoel. The patterns of transmission by beetles acquiring CP-SBMV by feeding or by injection were similar. Recovery from the hemolymph decreased with time after virus acquisition by injection or feeding. The virus was recovered from all areas of the intestinal tract of dissected beetles. Survival of CP-SBMV in the hemolymph for at least 10 days and the demonstration of the hemolymph as a virus source for transmission indicated that bean leaf beetle hemolymph serves as a CP-SBMV reservoir.