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IPM Scouting in Herbaceous Perennials

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Hosta virus X
IPM scouting in herbaceous perennials > hosta virus X
Pathogen: Hosta virus X (HsVX).

Hosts: Hosta.

Symptoms: Cultivars vary in their susceptibility, symptoms vary as well. Mottling or mosaic patterns on the foliage are common. Foliage may be puckered or distorted. Severely affected foliage may become necrotic. Blue-flowered cultivars may have color breaking.

Spread: The most significant source of disease spread is through movement of infected plant material. The virus is sap transmissible and therefore, can easily be spread during plant propagation. This virus is not spread by insect vectors.

Management: Infected plants can not be treated and should be removed and destroyed. Carefully inspect all incoming plant material, particularly that coming in from outside the United States, to be sure it is free from symptoms. Material to be used for propagation should be tested prior to propagation. Contact your local plant diagnostic lab to see what testing options are available. The MSU Diagnostic Services lab offers HsVX testing by ELISA. Regularly disinfest equipment used during propagation or trimming to avoid sap transmission of the virus.
Mottling on hosta foliage Hosta virus X Hosta virus X
Mottling on hosta foliage caused by hosta virus X. Plant infected with hosta virus X Leaf infected with hosta virus X
This information was developed from A Pocket Guide for IPM Scouting in Herbaceous Perennials by Jan Byrne and Raymond A. Cloyd. Purchase this in a pocket-sized guide for reference in the orchard from MSU Extension (publication E-2981).
The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.
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Updated 9/28/07