Transmission by Myzus persicae of potato spindle tuber viroid encapsidated by potato leafroll luteovirus particles
The role of insect vectors in transmission of potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd - EPPO A2 quarantine pest) has been unclear. It was reported in the past that Myzus persicae, Macrosiphum euphorbiae and some other potato pests could transmit the viroid. However, these observations could not be later confirmed. In more recent studies, M. euphorbiae has been reported to transmit PSTVd but with a very low efficiency, and M. persicae was found unable to transmit the viroid. It has also been observed that M. persicae was able to transmit PSTVd to potato, Physalis floridana and Datura stramonium from source plants doubly infected with PSTVd and potato leaf roll luteovirus (PLRV), but not from plants infected with PSTVd only. The authors have verified that M. persicae was able to transmit PSTVd from P. floridana plants (doubly infected with PSTVd and PLRV) to tomato, P. floridana and Datura stramonium. In addition, they have also showed that PSTVd was encapsidated by PLRV particles for transmission by M. persicae.
Sources
Syller, J.; Marczewski, W.; Pawlowicz, J. (1997) Transmission by aphids of potato spindle tuber viroid encapsidated by potato leafroll luteovirus particles.
European Journal of Phytopathology, 103(3), 285-289.