Aphid Vectors of the Papaya Mosaic Viruses in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Two apparently related, aphid-transmitted virus diseases of papaya occur in Puerto Rico. These are the more severe, Distortion Mosaic (DM) and the more mild Papaya Mosaic (PM). Thirteen species of aphids were investigated as potential vectors of one or both viruses. The species Aphis nerii B. de F., Aphis gossypii Glover, Aphis spiraecola Patch, and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) were found capable of transmitting both virus types. In terms of efficiency of transmission in the laboratory, M. persicae appeared to be the most efficient vector. In addition, the species Carolinaia cyperi Ainslie and Dactynotus ambrosiae (Thomas) were found to be efficient vectors of Distortion Mosaic virus. No transmissions occurred with Aphis craccivora Koch, Toxoptera aurantiae (B. de F.), Aphis illinoisensis Shimmer, or Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) all of which have been previously reported as vectors of papaya viruses. Negative results were also obtained with Hyperomyzus lactucae (L.), Rhopalosiphum nymphaeae (L.), and Sipha flava (Forbes).