Alfalfa leaf curl virus is transmitted by Aphis craccivora in a highly specific circulative manner

Two members of the genus Capulavirus (Geminiviridae) are transmitted by aphids including Alfalfa leaf curl virus (ALCV) transmitted by Aphis craccivora . The capulavirus Euphorbia caput-medusae latent virus was shown here to be transmitted also by A. craccivora , using the population EuphorbiaSA. ALCV was transmissible by several A. craccivora populations including Robinia, but not EuphorbiaSA, reflecting a high transmission specificity. ALCV accumulation and localization were analyzed in whole insects, midguts, hemolymphs, and heads of aphids from both populations and from the non-vector species Acyrthosiphon pisum . A 6-day persistence was observed in A. craccivora populations but not in A. pisum . Vector and non-vector A. craccivora populations could be distinguished by contrasted virus accumulations and midgut intracellular localization. Results confirm that ALCV is transmitted according to a circulative-persistent mode, and are consistent with a gut barrier to the transmission of ALCV in A. pisum and a primary salivary gland barrier in A. craccivora .