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Identification of insect vectors of maize lethal necrosis viruses and their virus-transmission ability in Ethiopia

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Abstract

Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) is a viral disease caused by co-infection of Maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) and a potyvirus mostly Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV). MLN is one of the most important maize production constraints in East Africa including Ethiopia. In this study molecular characterization was used to determine potential insect vectors that transmit MLN causing viruses in Ethiopia. Suspected insect vectors of MLN causing viruses collected from maize fields were initially identified to a genus/species level based on the morphological features. Further taxonomic determination was carried out using DNA sequencing from cytochrome oxidase primers. Pre-identified insect vectors of MLN-causing viruses were separately tested in the greenhouse for potential transmission of MCMV and SCMV. Accordingly, maize thrips, Franklinella sp. (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and cereal leaf beetle, Oulema sp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) transmitted MCMV, whereas corn leaf aphids, Rhopalosiphum maidis Fich (Hemiptera: Aphididae) transmitted SCMV. Out of 86 maize fields surveyed, Franklinella sp. were widely distributed in 22 (25.6%) fields, mostly in Arsi and West Shewa zones of Oromia region. R. maidis was abundant in all the areas assessed, suggesting that this insect spp. is a vector for SCMV in Ethiopia. The presence of insects as vectors of MLN causing viruses on maize plants is believed to contribute to the widespread of MLN viruses from plant to plant, field to field and to new geographical areas. Thus, managing these vectors through appropriate control measures can reduce maize yield losses caused by MLN disease.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This research was financially supported by the then Ethiopian Ministry of Science and Technology (now Ministry of Innovation and Technology), and the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research. The authors would like to acknowledge the immense support of Ambo Agricultural Research Center for providing transport service during the field survey and Addis Ababa Science and Technology University for allowing using their molecular laboratory and technical support. The authors also appreciate the staff members of Entomology Research Department of Ambo Agricultural Research Center, Ambo, Ethiopia for their support in sample collection and insect identification.

Funding

This study was financially supported by the then Ethiopian Ministry of Science and Technology (now Ministry of Innovation and Technology), and the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ethiopia Institute of Agricultural Research, Ambo Agricultural Research Center, P. O. Box 37, Ambo, Ethiopia

    Bayissa Regassa

  2. Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana

    Adane Abraham

  3. Department of Zoological Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Yitbarek Wolde-Hawariat & Anagaw Atickem

  4. School of Plant Sciences, Haramaya University, P. O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

    Chemeda Fininsa

  5. CIMMYT-Zimbabwe, Mt Pleasant, P. O Box MP 163, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Dagne Wegary

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  1. Bayissa Regassa
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  4. Chemeda Fininsa
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by (Bayissa Regassa and Adane Abraham). The first draft of the manuscript was written by Bayissa Regassa and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Bayissa Regassa.

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Regassa, B., Abraham, A., Wolde-Hawariat, Y. et al. Identification of insect vectors of maize lethal necrosis viruses and their virus-transmission ability in Ethiopia. Int J Trop Insect Sci 44, 843–854 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-024-01185-w

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