VIEW ARTICLE

Vector Relations

Quantification of Blueberry Shoestring Virus RNA and Antigen in its Aphid Vector, Illinoia pepperi, During Acquisition, Retention, and Transmission. B. T. Terhune, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824; D. C. Ramsdell(2), K. L. Klomparens(3), and J. F. Hancock(4). (2)(3)Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, Director of the Center for Electron Optics, Pesticide Research Center; (4)Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824. Phytopathology 81:1096-1102. Accepted for publication 30 May 1990. Copyright 1991 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-81-1096.

Blueberry shoestring virus (BBSSV) was monitored in late instars of Illinoia pepperi by dot-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, a silver-enhanced colloidal gold immunosorbent assay, and dot-hybridization. Aphids acquired BBSSV antigen and BBSSV RNA at a rapid rate during the initial 24-h acquisition access period (AAP) from Parafilm sachets containing purified BBSSV, but the acquisition rate leveled off and declined thereafter during subsequent AAPs at intervals of up to 96 h. Over a 4-day AAP, from diseased plants, BBSSV RNA was acquired at concentrations lower than those acquired from artificial sources, according to dot-hybridization data. Levels of BBSSV antigen and RNA retained by aphids on healthy plants declined rapidly 1 day after acquisition, but remained fairly constant during the next 3–4 days. Both BBSSV antigen and RNA were detected in aphid hemolymph after 1- to 4-day AAPs. Aphids were able to transmit BBSSV to blueberry plants for up to 10 days after 1-, 2-, or 3-day AAPs on sachets or on BBSSV-infected plants. Our data suggest persistent transmission of BBSSV by its vector.