The vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus (Signoret), and the longtailed mealybug, Pseudococcus longispinus
(Targioni Tozzetti), are vectors of grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GRLaV-3), one of the most
abundant viruses associated with grapevine leafroll disease. To elucidate the transmission biology in
South Africa, acquisition access periods (AAPs), inoculation access periods (IAPs) and the retention of
the virus in starving and feeding first- to second instar nymphs were determined. The rootstock hybrid
LN33 served as virus source and grapevines (Vitis vinifera L., cv. Cabernet franc) served as recipient
plants. An AAP of 15 min or an IAP of 15 min was sufficient for Pl. ficus to acquire or transmit GLRaV-3,
respectively. Nymphs of Pl. ficus retained the virus for at least eight days when feeding on a non-virus
host and grapevine, and for at least two days when starving, and were then capable of transmitting it
successfully to healthy grapevine plants. Nymphs of Ps. longispinus transmitted the virus after an AAP of
30 min and an IAP of 1 h. They retained the virus for at least three days when feeding on virus-free vines
or starving. The GLRaV-3 infection rates of plants with Pl. ficus as vector varied with AAPs. These were
lower (20 to 60%) for AAPs of 12 h or less than for AAPs of 24 h or more (80 to 100%). The findings are
of importance for understanding the transmission biology of mealybug vectors and devising management
strategies for grapevine leafroll.
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