Dehydration and tomato spotted wilt virus infection combine to alter feeding and survival parameters for the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis.

ABSTRACT: Dehydration and tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) infection substantially impact the feeding of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis. Until now, the dynamics between these biotic and abiotic stresses have not been examined for thrips. Here, we report water balance characteristics and changes in other biological parameters during infection with TSWV for the western flower thrips. There were no apparent differences in water balance parameters during TSWV infection of male or female thrips. Our results show that, although water balance characteristics of western flower thrips are minimally impacted by TSWV infection, the increase in feeding and activity when dehydration and TSWV are combined suggests that virus transmission could be increased under periods of drought. Impor

SUBMITTER: Bailey ST 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11345507 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature