Spatial and temporal distribution of geminiviruses in leafhoppers of the genus Cicadulina monitored by conventional and quantitative polymerase chain reaction

Spatial and temporal distribution of Maize streak virus (MSV, family Geminiviridae, genus Mastrevirus) was monitored in the vector species Cicadulina mbila and the nonvector species C. chinai using conventional and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Sustained feeding on MSV-infected plants showed that virus accumulation reaches a maximum in C. chinai, but not in C. mbila. After a 3-day acquisition access feeding period (AAP), MSV was detected in the gut, the hemolymph, and the head of C. mbila, but only in the gut of C. chinai. Similarly, Digitaria streak virus (genus Mastrevirus), which is not transmitted by either of the two species, was only detected in the gut. MSV was detected in the hemolymph of C. mbila 3 h after the beginning of the AAR Although viral DNA progressively decreases in the vector and nonvector species after a 3-day AAP, MSV DNA remained stable in the salivary glands of C. mbila.