1. Bioaerosols: Insect Transmitted Pathogens Bioaerosols: Insect Transmitted Pathogens Wayne B. Hunter 1, C.L. McKenzie 1, B.W. Mitchell 2 1. USDA, ARS, U.S. Horticultural Research Lab, Ft. Pierce, FL 34945. 2. Southeast Poultry Res Lab, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Athens, GA, U.S.A. Wayne.hunter@ars.usda.gov Wayne.hunter@ars.usda.gov August 17 2008 We successfully used a new method of electrostatic charging to collect insect-transmitted viruses from the air near infected plants. Detection of pathogens is critical to monitoring their distribution and spread, and is a key component in the prediction and management of disease epidemiology. To monitor airborne pathogens which are not easily captured or are unknown, developing techniques which are sensitive, affordable, and time saving are imperative for widespread implementation. In this study, we have applied an emerging technology of electrostatic sampling to the detection of insect-transmitted plant pathogens. Virus-insect associations where the insects aggregate in large numbers, as with whiteflies, leafhoppers, psyllids and honey bees, the virus or bacterial pathogen becomes aerosolized as thousands of excreta droplets fall from the plants during insect feeding or activity. An electrostatic device, ESD, (Fig. A) was used to collect an aerosolized plant pathogenic virus emerging from a colony of Begomovirus infected whiteflies (Fig. D). The electrostatic pull of particles in the air is demonstrated (Fig. B) using smoke being drawn onto a grounded agar petri plate. The ESD differs from existing samplers which have some electrostatic component in that it is small, lightweight, has no moving parts, is easily disinfected, and has high collection efficiency with no observable negative impact on the microorganisms’ viability. Microorganisms, such as virus and bacteria have been collected using the ESD and then identified using molecular means, and/or through being cultured. Results: Sixteen of the 18 independent samplings resulted in detection of TYLCV Begomovirus being excreted by whiteflies. Twelve independent 1 hour sample durations resulted in 11 TYLCV positives, while 6 independent 2 hour samples resulted in 5 positive TYLCV detections. Our data demonstrates that Begomovirus excreted by whiteflies becomes aerosolized and supports the suitability of the ESD as a tool for the collection and monitoring of Begomovirus bioaerosols (Fig. 1C). Summary: The ESD has been used successfully to detect an insect transmitted virus by collecting from the air. While this is useful for monitoring the presence of a pathogen, detection does not demonstrate virus viability nor spread as a contagion. Electrostatic detection methods are being used primarily to aid the detection and identification of pathogens which are present within agricultural systems. Further uses of ESD technology is being applied to screen honey bee hives for potential bioaerosols which may be contributing to colony collapse disorder. The ESD will find many applications in the monitoring of different systems whether the systems are crop plants, or chicken houses; farm yards, or back yards, the ESD provides a low cost solution to the growing concerns of disease spread in today’s world.