A New Virus of Maize Transmitted by Cicadulina Spp.

Abstract

Of the means available for the differentiation of plant viruses, the specificity of the insect vector has been regarded as one of the most reliable (4). More particularly has this been true of those viruses that are transmitted by species of leafhoppers. It is therefore of some interest to record the occurrence of an apparently new virus transmitted by the same species of Oicadulina that are the vectors of the streak virus of maize. Such a virus, producing in maize a disease that I have termed "Mottle", has been found in Tanganyika Territory.