D3084: Cannabis aphid: A new aphid vector of potato virus Y

Potato virus Y (PVY) is an aphid-transmitted plant pathogenic virus that poses a significant threat to potato production in the United States and worldwide. Over 50 aphid species are known to transmit PVY, and although most have low transmission efficiencies, these aphids are important contributors to the prevalence of PVY. With the increasing acreage of hemp in the western United States, we were interested to know if the cannabis aphid (Phorodon cannabis Passerini) is a potential vector of PVY. Our results have shown that the cannabis aphid can transmit the virus from an infected host plant to both hemp (aphid host) and potato (aphid non-host) plants; this being the first report of the cannabis aphid being a vector for PVY. Viruses have been shown to alter vector behavior to enhance their transmission, so we are analyzing the feeding behaviors of the aphids using the Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG) technique. Our results will provide more insight on the cannabis aphid’s efficiency as a vector of PVY and possible virus-induced effects on aphid feeding behaviors, which will be useful in the development of management strategies for aphids and PVY and will further basic knowledge of host plant-virus-vector interactions.