Transmission of Passion fruit woodiness virus by Aphis gossypii (Glover) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and colonization of passion flower by the vector

The transmission of Passion fruit woodiness virus (PWV) by Aphis gossypii (Glover) was evaluated. In two independent experiments, A. gossypii transmitted PWV to passion fruit plants at the rates of 75% and 100%, when eight and twelve viruliferous aphids were deposited by plant, respectively. At the end of the tests, nymphs of A. gossypii were observed in some of the passion fruit plants, suggesting that the aphid species was colonizing the plants. This seems to be the first report of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa (Deneger) colonization by a species of aphid.