Non-Aphid Insect-Borne Plant Viruses

Plant viruses spread by insect vectors other than aphids, such as thrips, leafhoppers and mealybugs. A virus belongs here when its cited article names one of these insects as its vector. Because each virus depends on its particular vector, the range of the insect largely sets the range of the disease, and an outbreak often follows the arrival or build-up of the vector in a crop. Some of these viruses are carried inside the insect for life, which makes them hard to stop with sprays alone. Management combines vector monitoring and control, resistant varieties, clean planting material, weed control and removal of infected plants. This heading gathers them so a visitor can compare their hosts and the insects that carry them.