Identification of Aphis spiraecola as a vector of Citrus yellow vein clearing virus

Citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV) was first discovered in China. Now CYVCV is widely distributed in the field, and has caused major economic losses in lemon production in China. However, no vector has been shown to transmit CYVCV from citrus to citrus. In this study, transmission of CYVCV by Aphis spiraecola was investigated. After a 48 h acquisition access period, 50 apterae adults of A. spiraecola were transferred in virus-free Pineapple sweet orange seedlings and allowed to feed for 24 h. Six months post inoculation, CYVCV was detected in 4.4% of receptor plants by RT-PCR. Furthermore, after inoculation access period was extended to 48 h, the transmission rate of CYVCV by A. spiraecola was increased drastically to 23.3%. The present study confirmed that CYVCV is transmitted from citrus to citrus by A. spiraecola in the glasshouse under controlled conditions.