The parasitic nematode Thripinema nicklewoodi Siddiqi naturally infects western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis residing within the buds, open flowers and foliar terminals. The association is not lethal, but the embryos of infected hosts become degenerate leading to sterility. F. occidentalis is one of the most serious vector of several tospoviruses, including the tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). We explored aspects of the host/parasite interaction that determine the ability of F. occidentalis to vector TSWV in a chrysanthemum crop.
Species 1: Tylenchida Allantonematidae Thripinema nicklewoodi
Species 2: Thysanoptera Thripidae Frankliniella occidentalis (western flower thrips)
Keywords: tomato spotted wilt virus, tospovirus vectoring
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