Increasing diversity among viruses in the genus Tospovirus (family Bunyaviridae) and the complexity of their relationships with an increasing number of thrips vector species provides a global challenge to producers of ornamentals and food crops. Epidemics of tospoviruses require the interaction of the thrips vector, the host plant for the thrips, and the virus. Intricate and complex biological relationships occur between thrips and the tospoviruses they transmit. Given the global production of propagation materials, and international movement of cuttings and potted plants, pest managers must stay informed about emergence of new tospoviruses and new thrips vector species. The success of management strategies for thrips and the tospoviruses they transmit will depend upon a proactive approach aimed at prevention and a good understanding of the complex relationships occurring between the viruses and the thrips. This presentation will introduce the diversity of tospoviruses, the range of thrips species serving as vectors and highlight those aspects of their interactions that can be used in planning management strategies.
Back to Development and Implementation of Management Systems for Thrips and Tospoviruses
Back to Informal Conferences
Back to The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey