Studies on virus diseases of papaya (carica papaya) in Puerto Rico II. Transmission of papaya mosaic by green citrus aphid, (aphis spiraecola patch)

Abstract

Positive transmissions were obtained in 15 out of 33 plants subjected to the action of A. spiraecola Patch fed on diseased papaya leaves for periods of time varying from 8 min. to 1 hour. Both nymphs and winged adults transmitted the disease with equal ease. All controls remained healthy. The evidence seems to indicate that the aphids are avirulent while on the citrus leaves and that if they are instrumental in the propagation of the disease in the field, they must acquire the virus later during their migration. Further work is still needed to elucidate, among other things, whether A. spiraecola Patch is the only vector involved, when and where it become infectious, modes and seasons of migration to papaya plantations, retention of virus by the insect, etc.