The effects of virus infection on host phenotype and vector behavior

Tom Bentley, Penn State University

October 14, 2009 @ 01:20 pm to 02:10 pm

10 Tyson

Infection by a plant virus can change the phenotype of a plant in many ways, including the odor of the plant and the quality of the plant for herbivores. _These changes can affect the interactions between an infected plant and the insect vectors of the plant virus and impact virus transmission. _I will discuss the effects of infection by Cucumber mosaic virus_on the phenotype of_Nicotiana tabacum, focusing on host odor. _Changes on attraction to the insect vector of Cucumber mosaic virus, the aphid Myzus persicae, will be considered. _I will present a research plan to investigate host odor changes as an adaptation of Cucumber mosaic virus._