{"id":18752,"date":"2019-08-23T09:09:32","date_gmt":"2019-08-23T13:09:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/ipm\/?page_id=18752"},"modified":"2021-08-31T16:13:44","modified_gmt":"2021-08-31T20:13:44","slug":"5064e","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/ipm\/ipddl\/publications\/5064e\/","title":{"rendered":"Hosta Virus X"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n \n \"Print\n <\/a>\n <\/div><\/h3>\n

Pest Management Fact Sheet #5064<\/h3>\n

Developed by Alicyn Smart, Assistant Extension Professor & Extension Plant Pathologist, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, and Nathan Andrews.<\/em><\/p>\n

For information about UMaine Extension programs and resources, visit extension.umaine.edu<\/a>.
\nFind more of our publications and books at extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/h3>\n
\"Leaf<\/a>
Figure 1. Dark green and yellow leaf mottling consistent with HVX. Photo by Abigayl Novak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hosta virus X (HVX) is the most common viral disease to infect hostas in Maine. When this virus was first discovered in the mid-1990\u2019s, it was encouraged to spread, as it created a very unique look to the plants it infected. Varieties such as \u201cLeopard Frog,\u201d \u201cBlue Freckles,\u201d and \u201cLunacy\u201d became very popular for their interesting leaf patterns and colors. HVX is a virus in the group known as \u201cpotexviruses,\u201d including viruses such as potato virus X. These viruses spread primarily through transfer of plant sap. This most commonly occurs through gardening, specifically when infected plant sap gets on tools that are used on uninfected plants. Insect feeding from insects such as thrips (Thysonoptera<\/em>), beetles (Coleoptera<\/em>) or caterpillars (Lepidoptera<\/em>) can cause sap to spread via mandibles from infected to uninfected plants.<\/p>\n

Host Plants<\/h3>\n

Hostas (Hosta<\/em> sp\/spp.)<\/p>\n