DACTYLIPSA SP., A VECTOR OF RICE YELLOW MOTTLE IN TANZANIA
BANWO, O. O., MAKUNDI, R. H., ABDALLAH, R. S., MBAPILA, J. C.
Abstract
Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) is a severe disease
of rice in Africa. It is naturally transmitted by several species of beetles.
Chaetocnema pulla is widely believed to be an important vector of RYMV in Tanzania.
However, the high incidence of RYMV in some rice fields were C. pulla was not
seen in large numbers indicated that more vectors of the virus might exist.
Transmission studies conducted showed Dactylispa sp. to be a vector of RYMV
in Tanzania. This has not been previously known.
Key words:
Chaetocnema pulla, Dactylispa sp., rice yellow mottle
virus