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Review article

INSECT VECTORS OF PLANT DISEASES

Marin Cukrov ; Institut za poljoprivredu i turizam, Zavod za poljoprivredu i prehranu, Poreč
Darija Lemić orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-1175-3716 ; Sveučilište u Zagrebu Agronomski fakultet, Zavod za poljoprivrednu zoologiju
Igor Pasković ; Institut za poljoprivredu i turizam, Zavod za poljoprivredu i prehranu, Poreč


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Abstract

Insects from the Hemiptera and Thysanoptera order are vectors of numerous pathogenic viruses, bacteria, fungi, phytoplasmas and spiroplasmas. They are characterized by fast reproduction and a broad plant-host spectre which they damage either directly by feeding or indirectly through transmittance of pathogenic organisms. Modern-day research of insect vectors is focused on investigating the mechanisms underlying the pathogen’s influence over its vector. It also aims to discover the molecular and metabolic components in plants, pathogens and their vectors which facilitate pathogen transmission and disease spread. Aphids (Aphididae), whiteflies (Aleyroidae) and thrips (Thripidae) are most important vectors of numerous plant viruses. Leafhoppers belonging only to Agallinae and Deltocephalinae subfamilies transmit viruses whereas numerous species within Cicadellidae, Aphrophoridae and Cercopidae family, transmit phytoplasmas, bacteria as well as quarantine pathogens such as the bacteria Xylella fastidiosa. All pathogens transmitted by insect vectors use complex strategies to enhance effectiveness of their transmission and spread. Most pathogens show high specificity towards their insect vectors since certain anatomical and genetic predispositions must be appeased in order to achieve successful transmission. Pathogens also devised intriguing ways to manipulate vector behaviour and change its feeding and reproductive habits. In this review, we present biological predispositions of different vector-insects for pathogen transmission, highlight mechanisms in plant-vector-pathogen interactions and point out distinct ways of pathogen transmission.

Keywords

Aphididae; Aleyroidae; Cicadellidae; Thripidae; pathogen transmission; insect manipulation

Hrčak ID:

244663

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/244663

Publication date:

10.10.2020.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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