Not known to transmit any human or animal pathogens.

Not known to vector any pathogens or other associated organisms.

Thrips palmi, Frankliniella schultzei, and Scirtothrips dorsalis 

No specific signs are present.

Different isolates of GBNV produce very similar symptoms, including chlorosis (yellowing), mottling, lesions, stunted growth, necrotic rings, and bud necrosis, regardless of the host. See the CAPS datasheet for images of symptoms in each host listed below.

In peanut: "Initially, mild chlorotic spots appear on young quadrifoliate leaves, and subsequently necrosis and chlorotic rings develop. In rainy and post-rainy seasons, necrosis of the terminal bud is the main characteristic symptom. Secondary symptoms such as stunting, axillary shoot proliferation, and malformation of leaflets are common. Plants infected early are bushy, stunted, and die prematurely. If plants older than one month are infected, the symptoms are restricted to a few branches only".

In tomato: Symptoms include concentric rings and patchy color on fruit, necrotic rings on leaves, and stem necrosis. Necrosis of the foliage often leads to collapse of a stem or of the whole plant resembling symptoms of blight. In general, tomato plants infected at an early stage often collapse and die.

In potato: Symptoms include stem and petiole necrosis, leaf deformation, chlorosis and stunting of the plant. Necrosis of foliage often leads to collapse of a stem or the entire plant. Potato plants infected at an early stage often collapse and die. GBNV infection can cause significant reductions in potato tuber yield.

Surveyors can perform visual surveys year-round in the field or greenhouse where host plants grow.

In India, peak activity of thrips and GBNV occurred when the peanut crop was 30 days old, and warm, dry weather favored both thrips population growth and disease development. In the United States, hot and dry weather are also favorable for thrips populations. Peanut plants in India exhibited leaf symptoms and stunted, bushy seedlings about 40 days after planting.

GBNV infection on tomatoes can be observed at all growth stages. 

In central India, surveys for GBNV infection (stem necrosis) in potatoes were conducted at 35 and 50 days after planting in the field.

Visually inspect host plants throughout the survey site for symptomatic plants. 

The economically important hosts of GBNV include peanut, tomato, and potato. Weeds present in the field or around can act as alternative hosts for the virus. Survey sites should include fields and greenhouses where preferred host plants are grown.

Conduct a visual inspection in field and/or greenhouse areas where host plants are grown. Search for stunting and chlorotic and necrotic spots on leaves, stems, or fruits of host plants.

Sample symptomatic leaf tissue from several different parts of each plant to account for uneven distribution of the virus. Keep samples refrigerated prior to screening (store at 40°F for up to 24 hours). For longer term storage, freeze samples at - 80°C (-112°F) or desiccate over anhydrous calcium chloride.

There are several other orthotospovirus species that infect the same hosts as GBNV, and at least two, Groundnut ringspotvirus (GRSV) and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), are present in the United States. Both GRSV and TSWV cause similar symptoms in tomato and peanuts and are vectored by Frankliniella occidentalis and F. schultzei.

Other orthotospovirus species which infectsolanaceous hosts and are also vectored by thripsinclude: Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV),Groundnut yellow spotvirus (GYSV), Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV), Tomato chlorotic spot virus (TCSV),Tomato yellow ring virus (TYRV),and Watermelon bud necrosis virus (WBNV). Molecular identification is necessary for confirmation of GBNV.