On the Vector Properties of Henosepilachna Vigintioctomaculata Motschulsky, 1858 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in the Transmission of Potato Viruses

The survival, transmission, and spread of most viruses depend on insect vectors. The potato ladybird Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata transfers such potato viruses as PVY, PVM, PVX, PVS, PLRV, and PSTVd from diseased potato plants to healthy ones. The plant viruses were detected in all plants by the end of the experiment. The studied potato ladybird beetles had different orientation behavior while searching for food depending on whether they were infected with PVY, PVM, PVX, PVS, PLRV, and PSTVd or not. The infected H. vigintioctomaculata fed predominantly on healthy plants (72% of the beetles).