Variation in competency of the onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) as a vector of tomato spotted wilt virus: patterns and implications

Thrips tabaci was the first reported vector of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and was long considered to be an important vector responsible for its spread in cropping systems. Although Thrips tabaci remains the primary vector of TSWV in tobacco crops in Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean region, its significance as a TSWV vector in other areas appears localized as recent studies have documented extensive variation among T. tabaci populations in their ability to transmit TSWV. Recent work in our laboratory demonstrating that competency to transmit TSWV is determined by genetic variation among T. tabaci populations and among TSWV isolates will be presented along with a brief discussion of the implications of this variation on TSWV management.