Multiplication of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus in the Leafhopper Peregrinus maidis (Ashm.), a Vector of a Plant Rhabdovirus

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) was found to multiply efficiently in whole Peregrinus maidis (Ashm.), the leafhopper vector of maize mosaic virus (MMV), a plant rhabdovirus. Insects were inoculated with VSV by means of a microsyringe, collected at 1-day intervals and tested individually for the presence of virus. Exponential virus multiplication occurred within the first 4 days, reaching titres of 106 p.f.u. per insect in days 5 to 10 after inoculation. These observations show that a common host is available to study the multiplication of a plantand an animal rhabdovirus.