Rearing Frankliniella zucchini Nakahara & Monteiro (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L. 'Caserta') fruits

Abstract Frankliniella zucchini transmits zucchini lethal chlorosis virus, causal agent of lethal chlorosis of zucchini squash. The characteristics of relationship between this virus with its vector have not been studied, one of the reasons being the lack of a method for rearing the thrips for laboratory studies. This work proposes a system for the rearing of F. zucchini on fresh virus free zucchini 'Caserta' fruits, offering a practical and efficient alternative for the supply of a large number of insects for later study of virus/vector relationship. In addition, to aid in the identification of this species of thrips, the immature and adult forms obtained from the colony were described.

Efficient detection of Frankliniella schultzei (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) by cytochrome oxidase I gene (mtCOI) direct sequencing and real-time PCR

ABSTRACT Identification of Thysanoptera is based mainly on external morphology examination that can be time-consuming and difficult for non taxonomic experts. In this work, we propose a rapid and efficient molecular method to identify Frankliniella schultzei, an important and widespread pest thrips vector of tospoviruses in South America countries. Species-specific primers designed in the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (mtCOI) were optimized for detection by conventional PCR and real-time PCR. The primers were tested on immature and adult thrips collected from crops and weeds found in São Paulo State. All samples collected were identified as F. schultzei, indicating the high prevalence of this species as vector of tospoviruses in Brazilian fields.

Serological Identification of Virus in Watermelon Production Fields in the Tocantins State

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) cultivated in almost all tropical and subtropical regions of the world, has its largest output in China, and then, according to FAO data, Turkey, Iran and Brazil, being one of the main crops cultivated in State of Tocantins, Brazil. In this work was investigated the occurrence and distribution of the watermelon viruses, totaling 752 samples taken in a stratified experimental design in four representative regions of production: Gurupi (150), Lagoa da Confusao (232), Formoso do Araguaia (265) and Porto Nacional (105). The sampling and collecting the leaves of plants with the presence of symptoms were performed once a week during the entire cultivation cycle. As a result, were observed by Dot-ELISA method, different types of viruses, such as Papaya ringspot W (PRSV-W), Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) (potyvirus), Cucumber mosaic virus ( CMV) (Cucumovirus) and Zucchini lethal chlorosis virus (ZLCV) (Tospovirus). Of these, PRSV-W was predominant (22%), followed by WMV (15%), ZLCV (11%), CMV (5%) and ZYMV (4%). Mixed infections with PRSV-W + WMV and PRSV-W + ZLCV were also observed around 20% frequency (expressed with symptoms differently from a single infection). The results provide important support for the program management viruses.