Differences in Transmission Efficiency of Citrus Tristeza Virus by Aphis gossypii Using Sweet Orange, Mandarin or Lemon Trees as Donor or Receptor Hosts Plants

Abstract

The transmission of T-300, an isolate of citrus tristeza virus (CTV) widespread in Spain, was tested using Aphis gossypii (Homoptera, Aphididae). The tests were perfomed with the three most commonly cultivated citrus species: sweet orange, mandarin and lemon trees, as donor and as receptor hosts. Colonies of 200 aphids were used for each plant in the transmission experiments. The lowest transmission efficiency ratios were obtained when using lemon as donor or as receptor hosts, whereas the highest efficiency was found from sweet orange to sweet orange plants.