The Importance of an Invasive Aphid Species in Vectoring a Persistently Transmitted Potato Virus: Aphis glycines Is a Vector of Potato leafroll virus

Abstract

Experiments were undertaken to determine soybean aphid (i) landing rates in potato fields, (ii) population dynamics on potato, (iii) feeding behavior compared with green peach aphid on potato using the electrical penetration graph technique (EPG), (iv) acquisition, retention, and transmission of Potato leafroll virus (PLRV), and (v) if soybean aphid–infested crop borders could increase PLRV spread in seed potato. Soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) landed on potato but failed to establish colonies. EPG showed no significant differences between the aphid species in preprobe, xylem phase, sieve element salivation, and phloem sap ingestion durations on potato. Soybean aphid acquired PLRV 78% of the time, and 75 and 70% of individual aphids retained infectivity after 72 and 144 h, respectively. Soybean aphid transmitted PLRV to susceptible potato with 6 to 9% efficiency. Prior to the invasion of this exotic pest, soybean borders were commonly used in Minnesota and North Dakota to protect seed potato against spread of Potato virus Y. In 2002 and 2004, PLRV incidence was not different in potatoes with soybean borders whether treated with insecticide or not. In 2005, with extreme soybean aphid pressure, potatoes with untreated (no insecticide) borders had significantly greater PLRV spread. This is the first report of soybean aphid transmitting PLRV.