Curly Top Virus Curly Top Virus Curly top virus is widely distributed in Texas. It is most noted for destruction of tomatoes, peppers, and sugar beets, but watermelon, beans, spinach, and squash are also susceptible as well as many weeds and ornamentals. Symptom expression changes from barely noticeable stunting and leaf puckering to death of the entire plant. Infected plant leaves become distorted through curling, twisting, and rolling. Tomato leaves become thickened and leathery.
Branches bend down, leaves cup upward and twist on their petioles.
Veins on the underside of leaves will turn purple in some varieties. Tomatoes, melons, and cucurbits in general appear to ripen prematurely, but have an odd taste. The virus is not transmitted to leafhopper eggs. True seed transmission does not occur but persists in potato seed pieces. The leafhopper can retain the virus in as little as 1 minute, but maximum retention occurs after 2 days.