The mite Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) is a vector of the citrus leprosies virus, a disease that significantly reduces orange production. We examined whether some plant species used in hedgerows or as windbreaks, as well as various weeds found within the orchard, could serve as alternative hosts for the leprosis virus. This experiment was done in a greenhouse at FCAV/UNESP, Jaboticabal-SP-Brasil. One hundred mites were transferred from a stock colony, which was reared on citrus fruits (Citrus sinensis) that had leprosis lesions, to each of the following plant species: Hibiscus sp., Malvaviscus mollis, Grevillea robusta, Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia, Bixa orellana, Commelina benghalensis, Sida cordifolia, Ageratum conyzoides and Citrus sinensis. These artificially-infested plants were maintained in a greenhouse for 90 days. After this period, 160 mites were recovered from each of these plant species and were transferred to four small citrus trees of the varieties 'Natal' and 'Valência' (20 mites/plant). These were maintained for 60 days in a greenhouse. After this period, the number of leprosis lesions were counted on the leaves, branches and stems of the citrus trees. 'Natal' trees had leprosis symptoms when infested with mites from C. sinensis, A. conyzoides, C. benghalensis and B. orellana. 'Valência' trees were affected when infested with mites from C. sinensis, S. cordifolia, C. benghalensis, B. orellana and A. conyzoides. Neither of these citrus varieties was affected when infested with mites from M. mollis, Hibiscus sp., G. robusta, or M. caesalpiniaefolia.
citrus leprosis virus; mite vector; host plants; transmission; Citrus sinensis
