Arthropod Vectors of Plant Pathogens Lab (AVPP)

Welcome & Introduction

Dr. Shaonpius Mondal
The Arthropod Vectors of Plant Pathogens (AVPP) Lab at the Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) is led by Dr. Shaonpius Mondal (at right), Assistant Professor of Entomology. The lab researches various plant viruses and their arthropod vectors, specifically aphids and mites in Nebraska and beyond. Currently the lab is focussing on wheat and barley crop, but soybean and corn are of future consideration. Major molecular studies are conducted in ENTO 302. The transmission works are conducted at ENTO 107. The lab is raising two genetically different types of wheat curl mites in 172 Plant Sciences Hall. All the labs are situated on UNL's East Campus. Furthermore, the lab collaborates with USDA-ARS at Lincoln, NE, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) at Omaha and Nebraska Center for Virology. Current projects include 1. Understanding wheat streak mosaic virus anbd Triticum mosaic virus transmission by wheat curl mite and  2. Understanding Barley yellow dwarf virus complex in wheat crop in Nebraska. 


Grants

Lab News

  • Nikki GangavarapuNikhitha "Nikki" Gangavarapu was awarded the Cooper-Sharpless Fellowship. She is a Ph.D. student who is mentored by Dr. Shaonpius Mondal.








  • The lab participates in BugFest. The AVPP Lab participated in the Entomology Department's annual BugFest event on Aug. 12, 2023. Pictured L-R are Sofiya Arora, Nikhitha Gangavarapu and Mritunjoy Barman with BugFest guests.








Opportunities

People

Lead Researcher

Dr. Shaonpius Mondal

Dr. Shaonpius Mondal
UNL Entomology Department
211 Entomology Hall
Lincoln, NE 68583-0816
402-472-7666



Post Doc

Dr. Mritunjoy BarmanDr. Mritunjoy Barman
UNL Entomology Department
305A ENTO Hall
Lincoln, NE 68583-0816





Graduate Students

Nikki GangavarapuNikhitha (Nikki) Gangavarapu, Ph.D. student
UNL Entomology Department
208 ENTO Hall
Lincoln, NE 68583-0816





Sofiya AroraSofiya Arora, M.S. student  
UNL Entomology Department
208 ENTO Hall
Lincoln, NE 68583-0816



Thomas Wilbur Davis in lab.
Thomas Wilbur Davis, Dr. of Plant Health (DPH) student
279E PLSH
Lincoln, NE 68583-0915

Publications and Presentations

UNL Digital Commons Publications

Research Gate Publications -  Research Gate logo

2010 - present

  1. Mondal, S., Hladky L. J., and Wintermantel W.M. Differential seasonal prevalence of yellowing viruses infecting melon crops in southern California and Arizona determined by multiplex RT-PCR and RT-qPCR. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-22-1512-RE

  2. Mondal, S., Wintermantel W. M., and Gray, S.M. 2023. Infection dynamics of potato virus Y isolate combinations in three potato cultivars. Plant Disease. 107: 157-166 https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-21-1980-RE

  3. Mondal, S., Wintermantel W. M., and Gray, S.M. (2021). Virus and helper component interactions favor the transmission of recombinant potato virus Y strains. Journal of General Virology. 102: 001620. https://doi.org/10.1099/jgv.0.001620

  4. Mondal, S., Ghanim, M., Roberts, A. and Gray, S.M. (2021). Potato virus Y strains frequently co-localize in single epidermal leaf cells in the aphid stylet. Journal of General Virology. 102: 001576. https://doi.org/10.1099/jgv.0.001576

  5. Mondal, S., Hladky L. J., Melanson R.A., Singh R., Sikora, E.J. and Wintermantel W.M. A. (2021). First report of cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus and cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus in cucurbit crops in Alabama. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-21-0922-PDN

  6. Mondal, S., Hladky L. J., Fashing P.L., McCreight J.D., Turini T.A., and Wintermantel W.M. A. (2021) First report of cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus and cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus in melon in the Central Valley of California. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-01-21-0184-PDN

  7. Mondal, S. and Gray, S.M. (2017). Sequential acquisition of Potato virus Y strains by Myzus persicae favors the transmission of the emerging recombinant strains. Virus Research. 241: 116-124. DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2017.06.023

  8. Mondal, S., Wenninger, E. J., Hutchinson, P. J. S., Whitworth, J. L., Shrestha, D., Eigenbrode, S. D. & Bosque-Pérez, N. A. and Snyder W.E. (2017). Responses of aphid vectors of Potato leaf roll virus to potato varieties. Plant Disease. 101(10): 1812-1818. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-16-1811-RE

  9. Mondal, S., Lin, Y.H., Carroll, J. E., Wenninger, E. J., Bosque-Pérez, N. A., Whitworth, J. L., Hutchinson, P., Eigenbrode, S. and Gray, S. M. (2017). Potato virus Y transmission efficiency from potato infected with single or multiple virus strains. Phytopathology. 107(4): 491–498. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-09-16-0322-R

  10. Mondal, S., Wenninger, E. J., Hutchinson, P. J. S., Weibe, M. A., Eigenbrode, S. D. & Bosque-Pérez, N. A. (2016). Contribution of noncolonizing aphids to Potato virus Y prevalence in potato in Idaho. Environmental Entomology. 45 (6): 1445-1462. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvw131

  11. Mondal, S., Wenninger, E. J., Hutchinson, P. J. S., Whitworth, J. L., Shrestha, D., Eigenbrode, S. D. & Bosque-Pérez, N. A. (2016). Comparison of transmission efficiency of various isolates of Potato virus Y among three aphid vectors. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 158 (3): 258-268. https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.12404

  12. Shrestha, D., Wenninger, E. J., Hutchinson, P. J. S., Whitworth, J. L. Mondal, S., Eigenbrode, S. D and Bosque-Perez, N. A. (2014). Interactions among potato genotypes, growth stages, virus strains, and inoculation methods in the Potato virus Y and green peach aphid pathosystem. Environmental Entomology. 43 (3): 662-671. https://doi.org/10.1603/EN13323

  13. Rendon, J. K., Mondal, S., Park, I.J., Price, J.R. (2014). What is the best individual solution to feeding the world's growing population? American Entomologist. 60(4): 212-222. doi: 10.1093/ae/60.4.212

  14. Mondal, S. and Dhawan A.K. (2013). Laboratory evaluation of the relative toxicity of some novel molecules on the resurging tea looper complex on tea. Indian Journal of Ecology.  40(2):211-214.

  15. Mondal, S. and Gill C.K. (2010). Influence of weather parameters on the incidence of Cowpea golden mosaic virus and its vector Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius). Indian Journal of Entomology. 72(1): 79-83.

Presentations

  1. Mondal S., McCreight J.D., Tamang P., Fashing P.  Ando K., and Wintermantel W.M., 2022. Development of CYSDV-resistant lines using marker-assisted selection.  Cucurbitaceae 2022. Oct 30- Nov 2. 2022. Naples, FL.

  2. Mondal S. 2022. How does virus transmission by insects contribute to emergence and dominance of viruses and virus strains? (Invited seminar) Fall 2022 Plant and Environmental Sciences Seminars. Sept 23, 2022. Clemson University. Clemson, SC.

  3. Mondal S., Chen. C., and Wintermantel W.M. 2022. Spatio-temporal accumulation of two closely related criniviruses in melon plants during coinfection. Plant Health 2022 Pittsburg, PA. Aug 6-Aug 10, 2022. Poster presentation.

  4. Mondal S., Hladky L. J., and Wintermantel W.M. 2021. Seasonal differences in prevalence of two criniviruses in the low desert melon production regions of California and Arizona. Plant Health 2021 Online. Aug 2 – Aug 6, 202. Oral presentation.

  5. Mondal S., Hladky L. J., and Wintermantel W.M. 2021. Methods for detection and quantification of four whitefly transmitted viruses of cucurbit crops during mixed infections. XIIth Eucarpia Meeting Cucurbitaceae. May 24- May 28. 2021. Online.

  6. Ando K., Kim M., Tamang P., Mondal S., Mazourek M., Wintermantel W.M., and McCreight J.D. 2021. CMV resistant melons for the western United States.  XIIth Eucarpia Meeting Cucurbitaceae. May 24- May 28. 2021. Online.

  7. Mondal S., Hladky L. J., and Wintermantel W.M. 2020. Competition between two crinivirus for transmission by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, and subsequent infection of melon plants. APS annual meeting. Plant Health 2020 Online. Aug 10 – Aug 14, 2020. Online meeting due to Covid 19. (initially scheduled to take place in Denver, Colorado).

  8. Mondal S. and Wintermantel W.M. 2020. Within-plant distribution of two criniviruses gives insight to transmission bias. PBESA annual meeting. April 19 - April 22. Spokane. WA (cancelled due to Covid 19).

  9. Mondal, S., and Gray S.M. 2019. Strain specificity of Potato virus Y encoded helper components provides evidence for transmission bias of recombinant strains over ordinary strains. Plant Health 2019. APS Annual meeting. Aug3 – Aug 7, Cleveland, OH.

  10. Mondal, S., and Gray S.M. 2018. Within plant distribution of PVY strain mixture differs spatio-temporally in potato cultivars. International Congress of Plant Pathology (ICPP) 2018: Plant Health in A Global Economy. July 29 – Aug 5. Boston, MA. USA.

  11. Mondal, S., and Gray S.M. 2017. Strain specificity of helper components encoded by Potato virus Y. APS Annual meeting. Aug 5 – Aug 9. San Antonio, TX. USA.

  12. Mondal, S., Ghanim, M. and Gray S.M. 2016. Potato virus Y strains co-localize and compete in single epidermal leaf cells. APS Annual meeting. Jul 30 – Aug 3, Tampa, FL. USA.

  13. Mondal, S., and Gray S.M. 2016. Sequential transmission of Potato virus Y strains by Myzus persicae. XXV International Congress of Entomology. Sep 25 – Sep 30. Orlando, FL. USA.

  14. Mondal, S., Carroll, J.E. and Gray S.M. 2016. Aphid transmission of multiple strains of Potato virus Y acquired either sequentially or from mixed infection. 13th International Plant Virus Epidemiology (IPVE) symposium. June 6 – June 10. INRA, Montfavet Cedex, France.

  15. Mondal, S. 2014. Studies on the relationships of Potato virus Y with their aphid vectors in potato. Dec 15. Hermiston Research and Extension Center (Oregon State University). Hermiston, OR. USA.

  16. Mondal, S., Wenninger, E. J., Hutchinson, P. J. S., Eigenbrode, S. D., Bosque-Perez, N. A. Shrestha, D., and Whitworth, J. L. 2014. Transmission of Potato virus Y strains from single, two-way and three-way strain mixtures by the aphid vector Myzus persicae (Sulzer) on potato. ESA annual meeting. Nov. 16-19. Portland, OR. USA.

  17. Mondal, S., Wenninger, E. J., Hutchinson, P. J. S., Eigenbrode, S. D., Bosque-Perez, N. A. Shrestha, D., Whitworth, J. L. and Snyder W.E. 2014. Response of aphid vectors of Potato leaf roll virus to potato varieties in Southern Idaho. PBESA Annual meeting, April 6-9. Tucson, AZ. USA. 

  18. Mondal, S., Wenninger, E. J., Hutchinson, P. J. S., Eigenbrode, S. D. and Bosque-Perez, N. A. 2013. Contribution of cereal aphids to PVY incidence in Southern Idaho. ESA Annual Meeting, Nov. 9-14, Austin, TX. USA.

  19. Mondal, S. and Wenninger, E. J. 2013. Virus-vector interaction in PVY-aphid pathosystem. 6th PVY wide meeting. PVY Wide Organization. INRA. June 26-28, Idahofalls. ID. USA.

  20. Mondal, S., Wenninger, E. J., Hutchinson, P. J. S., Shrestha, D., Bosque-Perez, N. A., Eigenbrode, S. D., and Whitworth, J. L. 2012. Response of aphid vectors of Potato leaf roll virus to different potato varieties in southern Idaho. ESA Annual Meeting, Nov. 12-16, Knoxville, TN. USA.

  21. Shrestha, D., Wenninger, E. J., Hutchinson, P. J. S., Mondal, S., Whitworth, J. L., and Bosque-Perez, N. A. 2012. Interactions among potato varieties, virus strains, inoculation timing and methods in the Potato virus Y and green peach aphid system. ESA Annual Meeting, Nov. 11-14, Knoxville, TN. USA.

  22. Mondal, S., Wenninger, E. J., Hutchinson, P. J. S., Shrestha, D., Eigenbrode, S.D., Bosque-Perez, N. A., and Whitworth, J. L.  2012. Studies on the virus-vector relationships of different isolates of Potato Virus Y strains and their three aphid vectors on potato. PBESA Annual Meeting, March 25-28, Portland, OR. USA.

  23. Shrestha, D., Wenninger, E. J., Hutchinson, P. J. S., Mondal, S., Bosque-Perez, N. A., and Whitworth, J. L. 2012. Interactions among potato varieties, virus strains, inoculation timing and methods in the Potato virus Y and green peach aphid system. PBESA Annual Meeting, March 25-28, Portland, OR. USA.

  24. Mondal, S., Wenninger, E. J., Hutchinson, P. J. S., Shrestha, D., and Whitworth, J. L. 2011.Studies on virus-vector relationship of Potato virus Y in single and multiple strain mixtures and their aphid vector Myzus persicae (Sulzer) on potato. ESA Annual Meeting, Nov. 11-16, Reno, NV. USA.

  25. Shrestha, D., Wenninger, E. J., Hutchinson, P. J. S., Mondal, S., and Whitworth, J. L. 2011. Interactions among potato varieties, virus strains, and inoculation timing and methods in the Potato virus Y/Myzus persicae. ESA Annual Meeting, Nov. 11-16, Reno, NV. USA.

  26. Mondal, S., Wenninger, E. J., Hutchinson, P. J. S., Shrestha, D., Eigenbrode, S. D., Alvarez, J. M., Snyder, W. E., Bosque-Perez, N. A., and Whitworth, J. L. 2011. Effects of potato variety and locality on the densities of aphids that vector Potato leaf roll virus in southern Idaho. PBESA Annual Meeting, March 27-30. Waikoloa, HI. USA.

  27. Mondal, S. and Dhawan A.K. 2010. Arthropod bio-diversity of cole crops in Punjab. National symposium on conservation horticulture. March 21-23. Dehradun, India.

  28. Mondal, S., Dhawan A.K. and Singh R. 2010. Pest incidence and management of insect pests of cole crops in Punjab. National conference on Plant protection. Feb 18-20. Jaipur, India.

  29. Mondal, S. and Gill C.K. 2009. Symptomatology and the virus-vector relationship of Cowpea golden mosaic virus (CGMV) with its vector, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on cowpea. The 5th International Bemisia Workshop. November 9-12. Ghoungzau, China.

Research Goals

  1. Understanding strain composition and virus-host vector interactions of aphid-transmitted viruses in wheat crops
  2. Understanding virus vector-interactions of mite-transmitted viruses in wheat crops.
  3. Understanding High-Plains Disease in Nebraska wheat and corn cropping systems.

Research Activities

We research arthropod vectors and plant virus problems in Nebraska and beyond ...

Gary Hein & Shaonpius Mondal look for infected plants.
Seeking infested plants
Field collection of wheat, barley and oat leaves.
Infected Plant
Another infected plant
Identifying symptomatic leaves.
Dr. Mondal collects wheat plants from the field.
Field collection of wheat plants.
Thomas Davis collecting aphids
Image of Berlese Traps
Collection of aphids from wheat plants using Berlese traps.
Gary Hein and Thomas Wilbur Davis evaluating variety field trials.
Raising Test Plants
Innoculating Mite Colony
Virus Culture
PCR machine that detects viruses

Teaching

English grain aphid Arthropod Vectors of Plant Pathogens (ENTO 896): 

This graduate course will introduce students to various arthropods that transmit plant pathogens, such as, virus, bacteria, phytoplasma etc. Class material includes virus-host-vector interactions at the cellular, organismal, as well as at the ecological scale, vector competence, and evolutionary significance. The course will primarily focus on pathogens that are important to agriculture. Detection and management of arthropod-borne phytopathogens will be discussed. In addition, several case studies throughout the US and the world will be discussed. The labs will include identification of arthropod vectors, detection of vector-borne viruses, and transmission techniques.