Division of Entomology and Nematology, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake Post, Bangalore-560089.
Abstracts of the papers presented at the 16th Annual Convention and International Symposium of Indian Virological Society on “Management of Vector-Borne Viruses” at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru-502324, Hyderabad, India, February 7–10, 2006.
Tospoviruses transmitted by thrips are major constraints in successful cultivation of horticulture crops. At least 10 species of thrips are known vectors of tospoviruses. Western Flower thrip, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, the most destructive vector of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is not present in India. Watermelon bud necrosis virus (WBNV) and Groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV) are transmitted by T. palmi and F. schultzei; Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) by Thrips tabaci; Peanut yellow spot virus (PYSV) by Scirtothrips dorsalis are found India. The role of T. palmi and possible role of F. schultzei in the spread of WBNV and other tospoviruses in India is not clear. Extensive research work on molecular aspects of tospoviruses has been carried out all over the world. However, the identity, population dynamics of thrips vectors and their role in epidemiology of WBNV are lacking. We studied the population fluctuations of T. palmi and F. schultzei using yellow funnel trap (September, 2003- August 2005) and sampling watermelon crop for thrips in the field at weekly intervals (June 2004 August 2005). Trap catch data were correlated with percent incidence of WBNV observed in the field. The effect of rainfall (total, intensity etc) and other weather parameters on the population dynamics of T. palmi and F. schultzei in relation to epidemiology of WBNV is discussed.
