Stylet penetration behavior of Myzus persicae related to transmission of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus

The direct current electrical penetration graph (DC‐EPG) technique was used to identify stylet penetration behaviors of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae) that are related to successful acquisition and inoculation of the non‐persistently transmitted potyvirus, Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), to melon, Cucurbita pepo L. (Cucurbitaceae). Stylet penetration behaviors of two sources of M. persicae that differ in their ZYMV transmission efficiency were examined to determine if behavioral differences were related to their differing ZYMV transmission efficiencies. Successful acquisition of ZYMV by M. persicae was significantly related to longer total time in intracellular subphase II‐3 of potential drops. Successful inoculation of ZYMV by M. persicae was related to a greater number of intracellular punctures, shorter durations of intracellular punctures, and longer total time in intracellular subphase II‐1. Of these variables that were related to ZYMV transmission, the two aphid sources differed in the total time spent in subphases II‐1 and II‐3. These results suggest that the differences in ZYMV transmission efficiencies between the aphids may be at least partially caused by behavioral differences during stylet penetrations of the host plant tissue, specifically behaviors that occur during intracellular punctures.