Molecular Entomology 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 170-178 http://emtoscipublisher.com/index.php/me 170 Review Article Open Access Aphids as Vectors of Plant Viruses: Mechanisms of Transmission and Host Interaction Yunping Huang, Jia Xuan Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A and F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: jia.xuan@jicat.org Molecular Entomology, 2024, Vol.15, No.5 doi: 10.5376/me.2024.15.0021 Received: 03 Sep., 2024 Accepted: 05 Oct., 2024 Published: 16 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Huang and Xuan, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Huang Y.P., and Xuan J., 2024, Aphids as vectors of plant viruses: mechanisms of transmission and host interaction, Molecular Entomology, 15(5): 170-178 (doi: 10.5376/me.2024.15.0021) Abstract This study systematically reviews the mechanisms by which aphids act as vectors for plant viruses and their interactions with host plants. By synthesizing recent findings on the molecular and ecological aspects of aphid-transmitted plant viruses, this study explores the significant roles of aphid biology, morphology, and endosymbionts in virus transmission. Plant viruses can manipulate host plant physiology to enhance transmission efficiency, with changes including virus-induced impacts on host metabolism and gene expression, thereby altering aphid behavior and increasing transmission effectiveness. This study also reveals that aphids exhibit complex behavioral and physiological adaptations in virus transmission. Understanding the interactions between aphids, viruses, and host plants is crucial for developing effective management strategies to mitigate the global agricultural impact of aphid-transmitted plant viruses. Keywords Aphids; Plant viruses; Virus transmission; Host interaction; Pest management 1 Introduction Aphids are among the most destructive insect pests affecting agricultural crops globally. These small, sap-sucking insects are notorious for their ability to cause direct damage to plants through their feeding behavior, which depletes essential nutrients and weakens plant structures. Aphids possess piercing-sucking mouthparts that facilitate their feeding on phloem sap, leading to significant yield losses in various crops, including potatoes, citrus, and hemp (Xu and Gray, 2020; Pitt et al., 2022). Additionally, aphids are vectors for numerous plant viruses, which further exacerbate their impact on agriculture. For instance, the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) and the potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) are known to transmit several economically important viruses to potato crops, resulting in severe yield reductions and loss of tuber quality. Understanding the mechanisms of virus transmission by aphids is crucial for developing effective management strategies to mitigate their impact on agriculture. Aphids transmit plant viruses through various modes, including non-persistent, semi-persistent, and persistent (circulative and non-circulative) transmission (Jayasinghe et al., 2021). The interaction between aphids, plant viruses, and host plants is complex and involves multiple factors, including aphid biology, virus characteristics, and plant responses (Gadhave et al., 2020; Ray and Casteel, 2022). For example, the transmission efficiency of viruses like Potato Virus Y (PVY) can be influenced by the feeding behavior of aphids, which is affected by both the virus and the host plant suitability (Pitt et al., 2022). Moreover, plant viruses can manipulate host plant physiology to enhance their transmission by aphid vectors, as seen in the case of Turnip Yellows Virus (TuYV), which alters the plant's nutritive content and defense mechanisms to benefit both the virus and the aphid vector (Krieger et al., 2023). Recent studies have also highlighted the role of insect-specific viruses and symbiotic bacteria in influencing aphid behavior and virus transmission. For instance, the Aphis citricidus Picorna Virus (AcPV) affects the stylet penetration activity of the brown citrus aphid, facilitating its transmission (An et al., 2023). Similarly, the presence of symbiotic bacteria like Serratia symbiotica in aphids can aid in suppressing plant defenses, thereby enhancing aphid feeding and virus transmission (Skaljac et al., 2019). These findings underscore the importance of a holistic understanding of the interactions between aphids, plant viruses, and host plants to devise sustainable pest management strategies.
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