Transmission of Viruses by Aphids

The majority of plant-infecting viruses are transmitted to their host plants by different species of aphid vectors. Aphids are efficient virus vectors and transmit a large number of plant viruses. Piercing and sucking type of mouth parts make them as efficient vectors. Aphids can transmit viruses in different modes: non-persistent (stylet-borne), semi-persistent, persistent and persistent propagative. Majority of aphid species are involved in the transmission of non-persistent or stylet-borne viruses.