Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) and tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) are the two most common viruses reported on New Guinea impatiens. It is not unusual to observe a few problems each year. The severity of the virus outbreaks varies from be- ing minor with only a few plants infected to being a major problem if western flower thrips are present.
Plant Symptoms
At one greenhouse I vis- ited last week, the grower asked if I would look at his New Guinea impatiens plants. Scattered plants along a bench containing multiple cultivars were stunted, had mottled leaves, purple ringspots, or black ringspots. In scouting for western flower thrips, none were found.
Reiger Begonia: Mottling and Ringspots
At the same greenhouse that had the confirmed tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) infected New Guin- ea impatiens, the grower also had leaf mottling and ringspots on Reiger bego- nias. A few plants along the bench were observed with yellow and green mot- tling and necrotic ringspots. Luckily no western flower thrips were found on the plants to spread the disease.
