A Collection and Marking System Suitable for Epidemiological Studies on Whitefly-Borne Viruses. S. Cohen, Visiting Scientist, Volcani Institute of Agricultural Research, Bet-Dagan, Israel. J. E. Duffus, R. Perry, and R. Dawson. Plant Pathologist, and Agricultural Technicians, USDA-ARS, U.S. Agricultural Research Station, Salinas, CA 93905. Plant Dis. 73:765-768. Accepted for publication 10 April 1989. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1989. DOI: 10.1094/PD-73-0765.

A simple system designed to monitor the movement and infectivity of whiteflies in epidemiological studies of whitefly-borne viruses is described. A vacuum collector, based on a small, cordless, rechargeable vacuum cleaner, was modified to collect insects directly into clear plastic sleeve cages. The cages can be used directly as inoculation chambers in the field, as a direct measure of population density, and as a means of monitoring insect movement with tracer fluorescent dyes. Seedlings inoculated in the collection cages are carried or shipped to the greenhouse and observed for symptoms, eliminating the need for growing bait plants in the field.