Infection of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) shortens the life span of thelytokous Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Abstract

The effect of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) infection on the life span of thelytokous Thrips tabaci, which is known as a TSWV vector with a low transmission rate, was studied in two populations, Shimane (SM) and Iwate (IW). No effects of virus infection were found in the developmental period and mortality of the thrips before adult emergence, but a significant increase was observed in age-specific mortality during the adult lifespan of the TSWV-exposed thrips group when compared with the non-exposed group (mean total longevity of thrips exposed and not exposed to virus was 18.1 and 20.1 d in the SM population and 19.9 and 21.5 d in the IW population). The latent period (LP) was 14.2 d in the SM population and 17.2 d in the IW population, indicating a relatively longer LP than the LPs reported for Frankliniella occidentalis and F. fusca. The potential transmission period (PTP) from the end of the LP to vector death was only 3.3 d in both of the populations. The higher the level of virus infection, the greater the reduction in adult thrips survival. These results suggest that a long LP and TSWV-induced reduction of thrips survival shorten the PTP. This may be responsible for the low transmissibility of TSWV as well as the low transmission rate in thelytokous T. tabaci populations.