Role of the helper component in vector-specific transmission of potyviruses

Four aphid species were tested for their ability to transmit tobacco etch (TEV) and turnip mosaic (TuMV) potyviruses. Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii transmitted both viruses efficiently from infected plants, whereas Lipaphis erysimi trans-mitted only TuMV and Myzus ascalonicus was a poor or non-transmitter of either virus. Similar elec-trically monitored probing patterns were produced by M. persicae, L. erysimi and M. ascalonicus, ruling out behavioural differences as the cause of dif-ferential transmission. Transmission results similar to those from infected plants were obtained when these aphids acquired homologous virus/helper component (HC) mixtures through membranes