Natural host range and thrips transmission of capsicum chlorosis virus in Australia

Abstract

The orthotospovirus, capscium chlorosis virus (CaCV) was shown to be common and widespread in the weed host Ageratum conyzoides in eastern coastal regions of Queensland, Australia with up to 92% of plants infected. This is the first report of A. conyzoides being an important host of CaCV in Australia. CaCV was also found as natural infections of Arachis hypogaea (peanut), Ananas comosus (pineapple), Sonchus oleraceus, Tagetes minuta and Emilia sonchifolia. This is the first report of CaCV infecting pineapple and being associated with severe disease symptoms. Thrips palmi, Frankliniella schultzei and Microcephalothrips abdominalis were shown to transmit CaCV while no transmission was achieved using F. occidentalis.