Transmission of broad bean stain comovirus and broad bean mottle bromovirus by weevils in Syria

Abstract

Four weevil species naturally occurring on legumes in Syria were assayed for their ability to transmit the viruses from infected lentil or faba bean plants to healthy ones. Apion arrogans, Sitona limosus and S. lineatus were able to transmit both viruses. S. crinita [S. macularius] was an efficient vector of BBSV but failed to transmit BBMV. This is the first report of A. arrogans, S. limosus and S. macularius as vectors of BBSV, and of S. limosus as a vector of BBMV.