ARTICLES

Aphid Populations and Spread of Peanut Mottle Virus¹

Authors: , ,

Abstract

Higher percentages of peanuts than soybeans or cowpeas become infected when these crops are growing equal distances from a source of peanut mottle virus (PMV). The total number of aphids trapped in these crops are about equal and cannot explain this differential percentage infection. Known vectors of PMV such as Aphis craccivora Koch and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) comprised 31% of the aphid population in peanuts compared to 14% in soybeans and 17% in cowpeas and could be responsible for the higher number of peanut infections. In addition, trapping of live aphids in peanut fields showed that viruliferous Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) were present. Laboratory studies confirmed R. maidis could transmit PMV from peanut to peanut. This is the first report of R. maidis as a vector of PMV.

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Keywords: Arachis hypogaea, Groundnut, epidemiology, vectors, virus spread, peanut mottle virus

How to Cite: Highland, H. , Demski, J. & Chalkley, J. (1981) “Aphid Populations and Spread of Peanut Mottle Virus¹”, Peanut Science. 8(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.3146/i0095-3679-8-2-5

Author Notes

1This research was supported by state and Hatch funds allocated to the Georgia Experiment Station. These studies, in part, were used by the senior author to fulfill an internship requirement for a Master's Degree in Plant Protection and Pest Management.