Detection of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus in Individual Thrips by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

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Abstract
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in individual thrips. TSWV was readily detected in 210 of 391 Frankliniella occidentalis and 24 of 120 F. schultzei laboratory-grown adult thrips that were provided acquisition access on infected host plants as larvae. In transmission tests, higher rates of TSWV-transmission occurred with three as opposed to one insect. With three insects, six positive transmissions occurred out of seven (86%) ELISA-positive F. occidentalis groups, and seven occurred out of eight (88%) ELISA-positive F. schultzei groups. In single transmission tests, 14 positive transmission occurred out of 186 (7%) ELISA-positive F. occidentalis and none occurred out of two ELISA-positive F. schultzei. TSWV was detected in 32 of 275 (12%) adult and 233 of 527 (44%) larval thrips removed from TSWV-infected lettuce plants [Lactuca sativa] obtained from three Hawaii farms.