Transmission of squash mosaic comovirus by Diabrotica barberi
During studies carried out in South Dakota on Cucurbita pepo plants affected by squash mosaic comovirus, the presence of Diabrotica barberi (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) and D. undecimpunctata howardii was noted. In transmission tests, it was found that D. barberi could act as an efficient vector for the transmission of squash mosaic comovirus in the field, as transmission percentages could reach up to 16.7 %.
Sources
Langham, M.A.C.; Gallenberg, D.J.; Gergerich, R.C. (1997) Occurrence of squash mosaic comovirus infecting summer squash (Cucurbita pepo) in South Dakota and transmission by Diabrotica barberi.
Plant Disease, 81(6), p 696.