Mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Species Associated with Cacao Mild Mosaic Virus and Evidence of Virus Acquisition
<i>Theobroma cacao</i> is affected by viruses on every continent where the crop is cultivated, with the most well-known ones belonging to the <i>Badnavirus</i> genus. One of these, cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV), is present in the Americas, and is transmitted by several spec...
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| Autores principales: | , , , , |
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| Formato: | article |
| Lenguaje: | EN |
| Publicado: |
MDPI AG
2021
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://doaj.org/article/28b27656ade049f0ba507041b9bea019 |
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| Sumario: | <i>Theobroma cacao</i> is affected by viruses on every continent where the crop is cultivated, with the most well-known ones belonging to the <i>Badnavirus</i> genus. One of these, cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV), is present in the Americas, and is transmitted by several species of Pseudococcidae (mealybugs). To determine which species are associated with virus-affected cacao plants in North America, and to assess their potential as vectors, mealybugs (<i>n</i> = 166) were collected from infected trees in Florida, and identified using COI, ITS2, and 28S markers. The species present were <i>Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi</i> (38%; <i>n</i> = 63), <i>Maconellicoccus hirsutus</i> (34.3%; <i>n</i> = 57), <i>Pseudococcus comstocki</i> (15.7%; <i>n</i> = 26), and <i>Ferrisia virgata</i> (12%; <i>n</i> = 20). Virus acquisition was assessed by testing mealybug DNA (0.8 ng) using a nested PCR that amplified a 500 bp fragment of the movement protein–coat protein region of CaMMV. Virus sequences were obtained from 34.6 to 43.1% of the insects tested; however, acquisition did not differ among species, X<sup>2</sup> (3, <i>N</i> = 166) = 0.56, <i>p</i> < 0.91. This study identified two new mealybug species, <i>P. jackbeardsleyi</i> and <i>M. hirsutus</i>, as potential vectors of CaMMV. This information is essential for understanding the infection cycle of CaMMV and developing effective management strategies. |
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