Identification of Wheat streak mosaic virus and its vector Aceria tosichella in Mexico

The objective of this study was to identify a pathogen observed in wheat in the Texcoco area (Mexico). The symptoms induced by this pathogen are consi stent with those caused by a virus. Identification was based on host range, symptoms, mode of transmission, and on serological and morphological chara cterization. The pathogen was mechanically transmitted to Triticum aestivum , T. durum, Secale cereale, x Triticosecale, Avena sativa, and Hordeum vulg are. The virus particles were flexuous rods, 700 nm long that produced cyli ndrical inclusions seen as pinwheel inclusions under the electron microscop e. The pathogen reacted with Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) antibodies in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An eriophyoid mite associated with this virus was identified as Aceria tosichella and found to transmit the virus efficiently. Based on its characteristics, the pathogen was identified as W SMV. During this study, the virus appeared sporadically in test plots witho ut causing significant yield losses.