Abstract
Virus-based biocontrol technologies are gaining attention as sustainable alternatives to pesticides and insecticides. Phytoplasmas are prokaryotic plant pathogens causing severe losses to crops worldwide. Novel approaches are needed since insecticide treatments against their insect vectors and rogueing of infected plants are the only available strategies to counteract phytoplasma diseases. A new iflavirus, named EVV-1, has been described in the leafhopper phytoplasma vector Euscelidius variegatus, rising the hypothesis of virus-based application against phytoplasma disease. Here EVV-1 is characterized in its transmission routes and localization within the host to unfold the mechanism of insect tolerance to virus infection. Both vertical and horizontal transmissions occur, and the former resulted more efficient. The virus is ubiquitously distributed in different organs and life-stages, with the highest loads measured in ovaries and first to third instar nymphs. The basic knowledge gained here on biological viral properties is crucial for future application of iflaviruses as biocontrol agents.
Footnotes
sara.ottati{at}ipsp.cnr.it, albertopersico{at}hotmail.it, marika.rossi{at}ipsp.cnr.it, domenico.bosco{at}unito.it, marta.vallino{at}ipsp.cnr.it, simona.abba{at}ipsp.cnr.it, giulia.molinatto{at}ipsp.cnr.it, sabrina.palmano{at}ipsp.cnr.it, raffaella.balestrini{at}ipsp.cnr.it, cristina.marzachi{at}ipsp.cnr.it