A review of whiteflies as vectors of plant viruses and a molecular analysis of vector transmission of cowpea mild mottle virus

• Ano de defesa: 2022
• Autor(a) principal: Mattos, Marcos Vinícius Vieira
• Tipo de documento: Tese
• Tipo de acesso: Acesso aberto
• Idioma: eng
• Instituição de defesa: Universidade Federal de Viçosa
• Palavras-chave em Português: Mosca-branca; Vetores de doença - Controle; Afídeo; Vírus de planta; Entomologia agrícola
• Link de acesso: https://locus.ufv.br//handle/123456789/32156; https://doi.org/10.47328/ufvbbt.2022.725

The whitefly is one of the main vectors of plant viruses. With its status as a pest, this insect causesdamage to crops such as soybeans, beans, cotton and tomatoes. Research efforts have focussed on control measures, vector biology and the interactions of these insects with the viruses they carry. Regarding the relationships established during viral transmission, many studies have shown how these interactions occur at the molecular level. At the same time, much information still needs to be elucidated. In chapter 1 of this study we review the virus families known so far to be transmitted by the whitefly, the mechanisms involved in the interaction, and we raise hypotheses that may explain some points in the transmission process. In Chapter 2, we experimentally assessed whether a cysteine-rich protein (CRP) encoded by Cowpea mild mottle virus (CPMMV) can act as an helper component of capsid protein (CP) in the process of viral transmission by the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. We found evidence that this does not occur and we conclude that CRP probably does not participate in the transmission process and CP probably acts alone. With this study we hope to contribute with more information to the knowledge of the interactions between viruses and their vectors. Keywords: Whitefly. Aphid. Disease vectors - Control. Plant virus.