[3] The family Geminiviridae consists of nine genera (Becurtovirus, Begomovirus, Capulavirus, Curtovirus, Eragrovirus, Grablovirus, Mastrevirus, Topocuvirus, Turncurtovirus)[4] based on their host range, virus genome structure, and type of insect vector.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), many crops were destroyed by the disease and led to considerable economic loss.
[3] The BCTV has also been known to affect other countries including Mexico, South America, and the Old World (the Mediterranean basin and the Middle East).
[8] The virus DNA contains a monopartite genome that is made up of three viral sense and four complementary open reading frames (ORF).
[9] C2 is involved in causing the disease (pathogenicity) while C4 plays an important role in developing the major symptoms that comes with the virus, such as hyperplasia, curling of the leaves, and deformation.
[8] Sugar beets are known to be the main host for this virus but it also affects many plants including beans, celery, spinach, melons, peppers, squashes, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
[12] The BCTV causes many symptoms including:[5][6][11][13] The beet leafhopper is commonly found in tropical and subtropical countries that have warm climates.
[8][11][14] They have been found to be residing within the Western part of the United States, Mexico, South America, and the Old World (the Mediterranean basin and the Middle East).
[5] During the winter in California, the beet leafhopper would migrate to the foothill of the coastal range located on the west side of the Central Valley and lay eggs in the perennial weeds and buckhorn plantains.
When the nymphs of beet leafhoppers are born, they would consume the infected weeds and plants causing them to acquire the virus.
During the mid to late spring, the adult leafhoppers would travel to the agricultural area of the Central Valley to infect other healthy plants and weeds.
Methods included breeding curly top virus resistant crops, planting earlier or later in the year, the use of insecticides, and weed management.