Plant-virus-vector
Guides
Frankliniella
Frankliniella is a genus of thrips in the family Thripidae containing approximately 230 species with cosmopolitan distribution. The genus was established by Karny in 1910. Several species are significant agricultural pests, notably Frankliniella occidentalis (western flower thrips) and F. intonsa, which cause direct feeding damage and vector plant viruses including tomato spotted wilt virus. Species exhibit considerable morphological variability, complicating identification.
Graminella
Graminella is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, comprising at least 30 described species. The genus is best known through extensive research on Graminella nigrifrons (black-faced leafhopper), a significant agricultural pest and plant virus vector in North American maize systems. Members of this genus feed on grasses and grass-family crops, with documented vectoring capacity for multiple economically important plant pathogens including corn stunt spiroplasma, maize chlorotic dwarf virus, and maize fine streak virus.
Perkinsiella saccharicida
Sugarcane planthopper, Sugarcane delphacid, Sugarcane leafhopper
Perkinsiella saccharicida is a delphacid planthopper and a significant pest of sugarcane. It is the primary vector of Fiji disease virus (FDV), the causative agent of Fiji leaf gall, a major viral disease affecting sugarcane production. The species has been documented across Africa, Asia, Australia, Oceania, North America, and South America. Laboratory studies have established methods for rearing this species on sugarcane leaf segments, enabling research on virus transmission dynamics.
Tagosodes orizicolus
Rice Delphacid, sogata
Tagosodes orizicolus is a planthopper species in the family Delphacidae and a major pest of rice throughout Latin America. It is the sole vector of Rice Hoja Blanca virus (RHBV), a pathogen that causes significant yield losses in rice cultivation. The species also causes direct mechanical damage to rice plants through feeding and oviposition, reducing plant vigor independent of viral transmission. Its economic importance stems from this dual damage mechanism, making it a target of intensive resistance breeding programs.
Therioaphis trifolii
yellow clover aphid, spotted alfalfa aphid
Therioaphis trifolii is a phloem-feeding aphid and major agricultural pest of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and clover species (Trifolium spp.). The species exhibits significant intraspecific variation, with distinct biotypes showing host-specific adaptations: the spotted alfalfa aphid (SAA) primarily colonizes Medicago species, while the spotted clover aphid (SCA) specializes on Trifolium. Native to the western Palaearctic, it has established globally including Australia, North America, and parts of Asia. The species manipulates host plant defense pathways through salivary secretions, activating salicylic acid signaling while suppressing jasmonic acid responses to improve host suitability.
Thrips
thrips
Thrips is a genus of minute insects in the order Thysanoptera, characterized by fringed wings and asymmetrical mouthparts. Members are typically 1 mm or less in length with slender, cigar-shaped bodies. The genus was established by Linnaeus in 1758 and is among the most economically significant thrips genera, containing species that are serious agricultural pests. Species-level identification is challenging due to morphological variability and reliance on slide-mounted specimens.
Tortistilus wickhami
A North American treehopper in the family Membracidae, recently documented for the first time in Mexico's Baja California peninsula. Previously known from the western and southwestern United States, this species was collected from grapevines in Valle de Guadalupe vineyards during 2023. Its presence in commercial vineyards raises concerns about potential economic impact, as it is suspected to be a candidate vector for grapevine red blotch virus.
treehopperMembracidaevineyard-pestgrapevine-red-blotch-virusagricultural-pestMexico-first-recordBaja-CaliforniaValle-de-GuadalupeVitis-viniferaDNA-barcoding-identification2023-detectioneconomic-entomologyplant-virus-vectorSmiliinaeCeresiniHemipteraCicadomorphaNorth-Americawestern-United-Statesinvasive-potentialviticulturewine-grape-pest