Seasonal Dynamics of Aphid Flights and Cotton Leafroll Dwarf Virus Spread in Alabama

Cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV) is an introduced Polerovirus (Family: Solemoviridae) of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., in the U.S. The only vector known to transmit this cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover; however, there are seven other species aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) reported colonize southeastern U.S.: Protaphis middletonii (Thomas), Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominale (Sasaki), craccivora Koch, Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), Smythurodes betae Westwood, and fabae Scopoli. Little no information available on annual population dynamics these timing CLRDV spread plantings also unknown. objective study was monitor eight cotton-feeding aphid concurrent with at three different locations Alabama. Aphids were monitored weekly for two years yellow pan traps, sentinel plants deployed throughout cotton-growing season. During years, most all occurred when A. actively dispersing field. Early season sites south central Alabama, not abundant, suggests additional vectors possible.