biostudies-literatureDing Tthe High-level Talents Funds of Qingdao Agricultural UniversityNatural Science Foundation of Shandong Province of Chinathe Taishan Scholar Foundation of Shandong Province of ChinaNational Natural Science Foundation of Chinathe Science and Technology Supporting Program for Young Innovative Teams in Higher Education of Shandong Province1091https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12653564biostudies-literatureUnknown16(11)Plant viruses can significantly influence the behavior and performance of their insect vectors, with profound implications for viral epidemiology. However, studies on the effects of co-infection with multiple plant viruses on vector feeding behavior remain scarce, despite its frequent occurrence in nature and potential for altered transmission outcomes. <i>Bemisia tabaci</i> MED, a key vector insect, is closely linked to the rapid spread of tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) and tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) in China. In this study, the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique was employed to investigate and compare the indirect (via infected plants) and direct (via viruliferous insects) effects of ToCV alone and ToCV and TYLCV co-infection on the feeding behaviors of <i>B. tabaci</InsectsDistinct Modulation of Feeding Behavior in the Whitefly Vector &lt;i&gt;Bemisia tabaci&lt;/i&gt; MED by ToCV Single-Infection Versus Synergistic Co-Infection with TYLCV.PMC1265356432372538; 31501707; 318720302023KJ164tstp202211356631115033ZR2022MC166Liu XChu DDing THuang HZhang MYu JXia GfalseDistinct Modulation of Feeding Behavior in the Whitefly Vector &lt;i&gt;Bemisia tabaci&lt;/i&gt; MED by ToCV Single-Infection Versus Synergistic Co-Infection with TYLCV.Plant viruses can significantly influence the behavior and performance of their insect vectors, with profound implications for viral epidemiology. However, studies on the effects of co-infection with multiple plant viruses on vector feeding behavior remain scarce, despite its frequent occurrence in nature and potential for altered transmission outcomes. <i>Bemisia tabaci</i> MED, a key vector insect, is closely linked to the rapid spread of tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) and tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) in China. In this study, the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique was employed to investigate and compare the indirect (via infected plants) and direct (via viruliferous insects) effects of ToCV alone and ToCV and TYLCV co-infection on the feeding behaviors of <i>B. tabaci</2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Oct2026-05-21T03:19:44.834Z2026-05-21T03:09:42.707ZS-EPMC126535644130283710.3390/insects16111091