Vector-Virus Relationships of Watermelon Mosaic Virus and the Green Peach Aphid, Myzus persicae1

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Abstract
Watermelon mosaic virus, a nonpersistent, aphid-borne virus, is transmitted by the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer). Aphid tests showed that transmission varied with the age of infection in watermelon plants. Transmission was highest at the first week after inoculation of the virus-source plant, and lowest at the fourth. In acquisition feedings ranging from 10 to 30 seconds, maximum transmission was obtained after about 15 to 20 seconds of acquisition feeding. The acquisition threshold period was between 10 and 12 seconds, and the inoculation threshold period was at least 9 seconds. The transmission rate of apterae was significantly higher than that of alatae. However, this difference probably was caused by the tendency for alatae to disperse for an appreciable period of time before beginning an inoculation feeding.