Viral manipulation of vector behaviour: cucumber mosaic virus has differential effects on specialist versus generalist aphids infesting Arabidopsis thaliana

As CMV infection develops, A. thaliana becomes less susceptible to aphid colonisation, however, plants continue to emit attractive olfactory cues. This is consistent with a model in which aphids are attracted to infected plants but discouraged from settling (e.g., by gustatory cues), which encourages aphids to carry CMV to non-infected plants. CMV appears to be more successful in manipulating the interactions of A. thaliana with the generalist aphid M. persicae, than with the crucifer specialists B. brassicae or L. erysimi.