Associations between western flower thrips and tomato spotted wilt virus

Thrips are economically important pests in the global agriculture. Thrips cause direct damage to crops through feeding and also act as vectors for numerous plant viruses, particularly tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). TSWV, a member of the genus Orthotospovirus in the family Tospoviridae (order Elliovirales, class Bunyaviricetes), poses a threat to various crop plants in the world. This review summarizes the transmission mechanisms of TSWV by western flower thrip (WFT) and the effects of TSWV on WFT behavior and fitness. By synthesizing current literature, this review aims to offer novel insights into the complex relationships between thrips, viruses, and plants, and to establish a theoretical foundation for developing molecular-based strategies for virus prevention and control.