A simplified method for simultaneous detection of Rice stripe virus and Rice black-streaked dwarf virus in insect vector

•Using the identity section from RSV-RNA4 and RBSDV-S2 segments to design primers.•A simple RT-PCR was developed for simultaneous detection of RSV and RBSDV in vector.•Vector SBPH can carry RSV and RBSDV simultaneously.

Rice stripe virus (RSV) and Rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) are transmitted by their common vector small brown planthopper (SBPH) that cause serious crop losses in China. A simple reverse transcription-PCR method was developed for the simultaneous detection of RSV and RBSDV in single SBPH. Three primers targeted to RSV-RNA4 and RBSDV-S2 segments were designed to amplify respectively 1114-bp and 414-bp fragments in a reaction. The method is reliable, rapid and inexpensive for detecting the two viruses in vector, which could facilitate better forecasting and control of the virus diseases. Using this method, it was found that SBPH could carry RSV and RBSDV simultaneously.