Poleroviruses (Luteoviridae) are phloem-restricted, positive-sense RNA plant viruses typically transmitted by aphids. We previously identified Pepper whitefly-borne vein yellows virus (PeWBVYV) as the first known polerovirus transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci Middle East Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1), and not by aphids or the B. tabaci Mediterranean (MED) species. PeWBVYV infects bell pepper (Capsicum annuum), inducing characteristic symptoms such as vein yellowing, leaf curling, and fruit discoloration. Genomic analysis revealed a unique recombination pattern: the 5′ half of PeWBVYV shares over 95% identity with the aphid-transmitted Pepper vein yellows virus (PeVYV) from Israel, while the 3′ half is homologous to African eggplant yellows virus (AeYV). PeWBVYV is persistently transmitted by MEAM1 and has competitively displaced PeVYV in the Jordan Valley in Israel, where it was first discovered, though it has not yet spread widely to other pepper- growing regions in the country. To investigate its epidemiology, we conducted extensive field surveys and laboratory experiments. Our findings suggest that PeWBVYV disease incidence is influenced by environmental conditions, pepper variety, plant physiology, whitefly density, and virus inoculum levels. Despite high transmission and symptom severity in the field, laboratory transmission efficiency remains low, complicating analysis of individual epidemiological factors. These results highlight the complexity of PeWBVYV transmission and spread, and underscore the need for continued research into its interactions with host plants, vectors, and environmental conditions.
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