Prevalence of the Small RNA Virus Strain LyLV-1 in Natural Populations of Lygus lineolaris in the Mississippi Delta

A positive-sense, single stranded small RNA virus (LyLV-1) was identified and characterized from the tarnished plant bug (TPB), Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois).  The 9655 nucleotide genome of LyLV-1 contained a single open reading frame of 8958 nucleotides encoding a 2986 amino acid genome polypeptide.  This genome polypeptide is self-cleaved by an internal cysteine protease to produce capsid proteins (VP1-VP4), a helicase/AAA-ATPase, and an RNA-directed RNA polymerase (RdRp).  The genome organization of LyLV-1 was similar to that of sacbrood virus (Iflaviridae).   Virus particles were 39 nm in diameter and appeared to replicate in the fatbody  tissues.  Vertical transmission of the virus via eggs was also detected.  A primer pair designed to amplify LyLV-1 from cDNA was used to screen field populations of TPB from the Mississippi Delta.  Here we report the prevalence of LyLV-1 in the natural populations of TPB during 2011 growing season.