Causal Agent: 

Tospovirus (Melon yellow spot virus or MYSV)

Transmission and Spread:
 
The virus is transmitted in nature by thrips species, Thrips palmi in a persistent (propagative) manner (vector can acquire and transmit the virus after feeding for several minutes to hours; virus replicates inside the vector).
   
Young thrips (larval stage) acquire the virus and adult thrips spread the virus from plant to plant during feeding.
   
The virus is not seed-transmitted.
   
Management and Control:
 
Use resistant varieties, if available.
   
Use virus-free seedlings.
   
Remove infected plants as early as virus symptoms are observed to prevent/minimize spread of the virus by thrips.
   
Remove crop debris, weeds and other sources of thrips after the cropping season.
   
Plowing and harrowing may help reduce vector population in the soil.
   
Apply insecticides like spinosad (e.g. SuccessⓇ, EntrustⓇ), deltamethrin (e.g. Decis®, DecideⓇ, ScoutⓇ, Agro DeltametrinⓇ), acephate (e.g. Acetam®, BlackhawkⓇ) or dimethoate (e.g. Perfecthion®), fenitrothion (e.g. Sumithion 50Ⓡ).
   

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