How to translate text using browser tools
4 July 2023 Bees and thrips carry virus-positive pollen in peach orchards in South Carolina, United States
Mandeep Tayal, Christopher Wilson, Elizabeth Cieniewicz
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) and prune dwarf virus (PDV) are pollen-borne viruses of important stone fruit crops, including peaches, which can cause substantial yield loss. Although both horizontal and vertical (i.e., seed) transmission of both viruses occurs through pollen, the role of flower-visiting insects in their transmission is not well understood. Bees and thrips reportedly spread PNRSV and PDV in orchards and greenhouse studies; however, the field spread of PNRSV and PDV in peach orchards in the southeastern United States is not explored. We hypothesized that bees and thrips may facilitate virus spread by carrying virus-positive pollen. Our 2-yr survey results show that 75% of captured bees are carrying virus-positive pollen and moving across the orchard while a subsample of thrips were also found virus positive. Based on morphology, Bombus, Apis, Andrena, Eucera, and Habropoda are the predominant bee genera that were captured in peach orchards. Understanding the role of bees and thrips in the spread of PNRSV and PDV will enhance our understanding of pollen-borne virus ecology.

Mandeep Tayal, Christopher Wilson, and Elizabeth Cieniewicz "Bees and thrips carry virus-positive pollen in peach orchards in South Carolina, United States," Journal of Economic Entomology 116(4), 1091-1101, (4 July 2023). https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toad125
Received: 4 April 2023; Accepted: 20 June 2023; Published: 4 July 2023
JOURNAL ARTICLE
11 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
bee
ilarvirus transmission
peach
pollen-borne virus
pollinator
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top