Plant disease - spotted wilt of tomatoes

Spotted wilt is a serious virus disease which attacks a wide range of plants. It is best known as a disease of tomatoes and on this host it occurs in all the main tomato-growing areas. In commercial crops, losses vary considerably from year to year and from district to district, but generally they are greatest in crops planted in late winter and spring. As spotted wilt also attacks many common weeds, ornamental plants, and some vegetables, it is often prevalent in home gardens. Although losses from tomato spotted wilt cannot be entirely prevented, they can now be materially reduced by routine applications of D.D.T