Does transmission of the rust pathogen, Puccinia punctiformis, require stem mining vectors?

Abstract

Recent research in Europe has suggested that stem mining insects may be important for vectoring the pathogen Puccinia punctiformis, and largely responsible for its systemic infection in the weed, Cirsium arvense. However, here we present comparative survey data showing that the level of systemic disease is the same in Europe and New Zealand, with and without stem miners, respectively, casting doubt on the idea that these insects are necessary for transmission of the fungus.

Keywords:

• Apion onopordi
• Ceratapion onopordi
• Canada thistle
• Californian thistle
• pathogen vector

Acknowledgements

We thank Sven Bacher, André Gassmann, Hariet Hinz and two anonymous reviewers for providing helpful comments on earlier drafts of this paper. This research was funded by the Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, New Zealand.