January 7, 2003
From: EPPO Reporting Service 2003, No. 11 [edited]

2003/164

First report of Watermelon chlorotic stunt begomovirus in Israel

The NPPO of Israel (PPIS) informed the EPPO Secretariat of the discovery of the whitefly-transmitted Watermelon chlorotic stunt begomovirus (WmCSV - EPPO Alert List) in Israel. WmCSV symptoms were first observed in Autumn 2002 affecting one plot of cultivated watermelon (_Citrullus lanatus_) in southern Israel. Following positive identification of the virus, previously recorded from only Iran, Sudan, Yemen, and possibly Saudi Arabia and Greece, the affected 2 hectares were ordered destroyed by PPIS. In 2003 the disease was reported again from additional areas in the country on watermelon and melon (_Cucumis melo_). The status of this pest in Israel can be described as: Present, distribution under surveillance.

Source: NPPO of Israel, 2003-12.

[WmCSV, vectored by _Bemisia tabaci_, is likely established in the affected areas of Israel. Its natural host range includes several other species, including _Citrullus lanatus var. citrioides [Citron], _C. echirrhosus_, and _C. colocynthis_ [Bitter apple], which may function as alternate hosts as sources of inoculum. - Mod.DH]