VIEW ARTICLE

Vector Relations

Transmission of the Safflower Phyllody Mollicute by Neolaiturus fenestratus. B. Raccah, Virus Laboratory, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel; M. Klein, Division of Entomology, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel. Phytopathology 72:230-232. Accepted for publication 3 June 1981. Copyright 1982 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-72-230.

An efficient transmission of the safflower phyllody mollicute by the leafhopper, Neoaliturus fenestratus, is reported. More than 50% of the insects given an acquisition feeding on phyllody-affected safflowers became infective. The duration of the latent period was found to be 20–25 days; the duration of vector inoculativity was about 38 days for mated insects and more than 25 for unmated insects. Females infected more plants per vector than did males, but the difference was not significant. Of the test plants presented to vectors, 50–60% became infected. Insects given an access feeding on infected safflower had a mean longevity 23 days shorter than that of leafhoppers feeding for the same time on healthy plants. Also, reproductive rate values were smaller for inoculative leafhoppers than for leafhoppers in the control. The possible effects of these factors on the efficiency of the vector is discussed.