Looking through the lens of ‘omics technologies: Insights into the transmission of insect vector-borne plant viruses

Abstract

Insects in the orders Hemiptera and Thysanoptera transmit viruses and other pathogens associated with the most serious diseases of plants. Plant viruses transmitted by these insects target similar tissues, genes, and proteins within the insect to facilitate plant-to-plant transmission with some degree of specificity at the molecular level. ‘Omics experiments are becoming increasingly important and practical for vector biologists to use towards better understanding the molecular mechanisms and biochemistry underlying transmission of these insect-borne diseases. These discoveries are being used to develop novel means to obstruct virus transmission into and between plants. In this chapter, we summarize ‘omics technologies com-monly applied in vector biology and the important discoveries that have been made using these meth-ods, including virus and insect proteins involved in transmission, as well as the tri-trophic interactions involved in host and vector manipulation. Finally, we critically examine the limitations and new hori-zons in this area of research, including the role of endosymbionts and insect viruses in virus–vector interactions, and the development of novel control strategies.