Nightshade Curly Top Virus: A Possible New Virus of the Genus Topocuvirus Infecting Solanum nigrum in China.

Virus-like symptoms, including leaf deformation and curling, were observed on nightshade (Solanum nigrum) in Zhejiang Province, China. To identify possible pathogenic viruses or viroids, a symptomatic sample was subjected to deep sequencing of small interfering RNAs. Assembly of the resulting sequences led to identification of a novel geminivirus, provisionally designated nightshade curly top virus (NCTV). The complete genomic DNA sequence is 2,867 nucleotides and encodes seven open reading frames. NCTV shares 77.1% overall nucleotide sequence identity, 86.3% coat protein amino acid identity, and 78.9% replication-associated protein amino acid sequence identity with Tomato pseudo-curly top virus, a member of the genus Topocuvirus. PCR screening of nightshade field isolates indicated that NCTV is widely distributed in Zhejiang. Agrobacterium-mediated inoculation revealed that NCTV is highly infectious to Nicotiana benthamiana, S. nigrum, S. lycopersicum, and S. tuberosum. Based on pairwise comparisons and phylogenetic analyses, NCTV is proposed as a provisional member of the genus Topocuvirus.

A reverse transcription-cross-priming amplification method with lateral flow dipstick assay for the rapid detection of Bean pod mottle virus.

Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) is a destructive virus that causes serious economic losses in many countries every year, highlighting the importance of its effective detection. In this study, we developed a fast reverse transcription-cross-priming amplification (RT-CPA) coupled with lateral flow dipstick (LFD) diagnostic method for BPMV detection. The RT-CPA-LFD assay that targets the coat protein gene of BPMV was highly specific against diagnosing four other common viruses transmitted by soybean seeds, i.e., Southern bean mosaic virus (SBMV), Tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV), Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), and Tobacco ringspot virus (TRSV). The sensitivities of the real-time fluorescent RT-CPA and the RT-CPA-LFD assay were at least 50 pg/µl and 500 pg/µl, respectively. Despite a compromise in the limit of detection of the RT-CPA method compared with TaqMan-MGB real-time RT-PCR, our results demonstrated a notably better performance in the detection of field samples of BPMV-infested soybean seeds. With the advantages of efficiency and convenience by visual determination, the RT-CPA-LFD assay presents a potential application for the rapid and accurate detection of BPMV in routine tests.

Risk of introducing exotic fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata, Ceratitis cosyra, and Ceratitis rosa (Diptera: Tephritidae), into southern China.

Exotic fruit flies (Ceratitis spp.) are often serious agricultural pests. Here, we used, pathway analysis and Monte Carlo simulations to assess the risk of introduction of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), Ceratitis cosyra (Walker), and Ceratitis rosa Karsch, into southern China with fruit consignments and incoming travelers. Historical data, expert opinions, relevant literature, and archives were used to set appropriate parameters in the pathway analysis. Based on the ongoing quarantine/ inspection strategies of China, as well as the interception records, we estimated the annual number of each fruit fly species entering Guangdong province undetected with commercially imported fruit, and the associated risk. We also estimated the gross number of pests arriving at Guangdong ports with incoming travelers and the associated risk. Sensitivity analysis also was performed to test the impact of parameter changes and to assess how the risk could be reduced. Results showed that the risk of introduction of the three fruit fly species into southern China with fruit consignments, which are mostly transported by ship, exists but is relatively low. In contrast, the risk of introduction with incoming travelers is high and hence deserves intensive attention. Sensitivity analysis indicated that either ensuring all shipments meet current phytosanitary requirements or increasing the proportion of fruit imports sampled for inspection could substantially reduce the risk associated with commercial imports. Sensitivity analysis also provided justification for banning importation of fresh fruit by international travelers. Thus, inspection and quarantine in conjunction with intensive detection were important mitigation measures to reduce the risk of Ceratitis spp. introduced into China.

Potential geographical distributions of the fruit flies Ceratitis capitata, Ceratitis cosyra, and Ceratitis rosa in China.

There have been relatively few attempts to model the distributions of the fruit flies Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), Ceratitis cosyra (Walker), and Ceratitis rosa Karsch in China, but the geographic distributions of these species are of considerable concern in terms of biosecurity. In this study, two different modeling methods (genetic algorithm for rule-set prediction [GARP] and maximum entropy species distribution modeling [Maxent]) were used to predict the potential distributions of these three fly species in China, by using distribution records and a set of environmental predictor variables. The results showed that Maxent performed well, compared with modeling by GARP, at each test threshold. For all three species, the results predicted by Maxent agreed with the observed distributions in Africa and in other parts of the world. In China, C. capitata seems to have the highest number of favorable habitat areas, relative to C. cosyra and C. rosa, i.e., Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, Fujian, Sichuan and Chongqing, whereas C. cosyra has the smallest range of suitable areas, i.e., Yunnan, some parts of Hainan and Sichuan. The suitable areas for C. rosa are mainly restricted to Yunnan, Hainan, southern Guangdong, and a few areas of Sichuan. The indications are that on the whole, Southwest and South China are the areas with the highest risk for establishment from these three fly species. Jackknife tests reveal that environmental variables associated with temperature have the strongest influence on the potential distributions of all three species relative to other variables.

Genetic Record for a Recent Invasion of Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Asia.

The cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley is an emerging invasive insect pest. Since its first report as a pest in the United States in 1991, it has invaded and colonized more than 23 countries over the past century. It was first recorded from Pakistan in 2006 and from China in 2008. In this study, we performed field surveys from 2010 to 2012 and obtained mtCOI sequences from specimens across China and Pakistan, then compared them with already available mtCOI sequences from additional Asian and North American countries. Our genetic analysis provides evidence that P. solenopsis should be classified into two groups, one of which is found only in the United States, and the other found only in Asia. The Asian group contains nine unique haplotypes, two of which have invaded and spread across China, Pakistan, India, and Vietnam over the last 4-6 yr. Our genetic analysis also indicates that P. solenopsis has a close relationship with the parasitoid wasp Aenasius bambawalei Hayat, providing preliminary evidence of a congruent spread of this mealybug and its parasitoids across China.