Tagosodes orizicolus: Nuevo vector potencial del Mal de Río Cuarto virus

Abstract

An important disease affecting the yield of corn crops is known as mal de Río Cuarto. Delphacodes kuscheli is the most important vector. The objective of this work was to determine the vector capacity of a new species, Tagosodes orizicolus, both in the field and under experimental conditions. Transmission trials were carried out on both species simultaneously. For acquisition, latency and infection the times considered optimum for D. kuscheli were used. The plants were analyzed by DAS-ELISA. Salivary glands of T. orizicolus were observed by electron microscopy. In experimental tests, values of percentages of transmission of 10% for T. orizicolus and 42% for D. kuscheli were obtained. The ultra-fine sections of the salivary glands of T. orizicolus showed the aggregation of viral particles 70 nm in diameter. Vectoral capacity could not be proven under natural conditions from a test conducted with insects captured in the field. Likewise, for the first time wheat, barley and triticale are mentioned as suitable crops for breeding T. orizicolus. These results show T. orizicolus to be a species of epidemiological interest in the northeast of Argentina due to the proven capacity of acquiring and transmitting this viral agent under experimental conditions. Copyright by the Brazilian Phytopathological Society.