When it feeds on wheat, A. tosichella transmits the
wheat streak mosaic virus. Infected plants show long yellow streaks, associated with some degree of
chlorosis which may lead to death of the affected foliage. In Oklahoma, the disease usually appears in late April and early May when the weather warms up.[12]
Transcriptome
Recently, researchers at USDA-ARS published the whole transcriptome of WCM, and showed that WSMV infection alters gene expression of its vector, wheat curl mite, to enhance mite development and population expansion, to increase transmission.[13]
References
^Miller, A.D.; Umina, P.A.; Weeks, A.R.; Hoffmann, A.A. (2011). "Population genetics of the wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella Keifer) in Australia: Implications for the management of wheat pathogens". Bulletin of Entomological Research. 102 (2): 199–212.
doi:
10.1017/S0007485311000526.
PMID22030277.
^Thomas, John A.; Hein, Gary L. (2003). "Influence of volunteer wheat plant condition on movement of the wheat curl mite, Aceria tosichella, in winter wheat". Experimental and Applied Acarology. 31 (3/4): 253–68.
doi:
10.1023/B:APPA.0000010384.12678.46.
PMID14974690.
S2CID25276433.
^Skare, J.M.; Wijkamp, I.; Rezende, J.; Michels, G.; Rush, C.; Scholthof, K.-B.G.; Scholthof, H.B. (2003). "Colony establishment and maintenance of the eriophyid wheat curl mite Aceria tosichella for controlled transmission studies on a new virus-like pathogen". Journal of Virological Methods. 108 (1): 133–7.
doi:
10.1016/S0166-0934(02)00257-4.
PMID12565164.
Carew, M.; Schiffer, M.; Umina, P.; Weeks, A.; Hoffmann, A. (2009). "Molecular markers indicate that the wheat curl mite, Aceria tosichella Keifer, may represent a species complex in Australia". Bulletin of Entomological Research. 99 (5): 479–86.
doi:
10.1017/S0007485308006512.
PMID19224660.