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About the Authors:
Yuting Chen
Affiliation: Department of Entomology, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
Bryan J. Cassone
Affiliation: United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Resarch Service, Corn and Soybean Research and Department of Plant Pathology, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
Xiaodong Bai
Current address: Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
Affiliation: Department of Entomology, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
Margaret G. Redinbaugh
Affiliation: United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Resarch Service, Corn and Soybean Research and Department of Plant Pathology, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
Andrew P. Michel
* E-mail: [email protected]
Affiliation: Department of Entomology, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
Introduction
Hemipteran insects such as aphids, whiteflies, planthoppers and leafhoppers are arguably the most important vectors of plant-infecting viruses. These insects have specialized mouthparts suitable for tissue specific feeding (often the phloem), and wide host ranges that provide ample opportunity for virus transmission [1], [2]. Most insect vectors of plant viruses have significant associations with humans and agroecosystems. Recent rapid changes in these environments have increased crop exposure to viruses and vectors or altered evolutionary, ecological or genetic interactions leading to enhanced transmission [3]. A lack of understanding these factors, including the molecular mechanisms of virus transmission by vectors, reduces our ability to assess and manage risks posed by plant virus vectors, particularly for emerging diseases whose full impacts are not yet realized.
Graminella nigrifrons is one of the most common and abundant leafhoppers in the eastern half of the U.S., presently found in 35 states from southern Maine to Florida [4]. It has a wide plant host range, including oats (Avena sativa L.), maize (Zea mays L.), perennial rye grass (Lolium perenne L.) and johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense L.) [5]. G. nigrifrons is a natural and experimental vector of several pathogens (e.g. maize bushy stunt phytoplasma and corn stunt spiroplasma)...