First Report of <i>Hibiscus latent Fort Pierce virus</i> in New Mexico

Abstract

During the summer of 2003, foliar symptoms including chlorotic spots and chlorotic mottling were observed on Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and H. syriacus plants in and around Las Cruces, NM. Detection of Hibiscus latent Fort Pierce virus (HLFPV) in numerous samples suggests that it may be widely distributed in New Mexico, as is the case in Florida and Thailand. Movement of ornamental plants could increase the geographic distribution of HLFPV. This represents the first report of HLFPV in the western United States. Accepted for publication 22 November 2004. Published 5 January 2005.