Strawberry vein banding virus (SVBV) is a plant pathogenic virus and a member of the family Caulimoviridae. SVBV causes systemic infections in strawberry and is thus transmitted through vegetative multiplication of infected host plants. In addition, SVBV is transmitted by Chaetosiphon spp. aphids, which transmit the virus in a semipersistent manner. Other aphid species, e.g. C. jacobi, Macrosiphum pelargonii, Aphis rubifolii and Myzus persicae, can also transmit the virus but with a much lower transmission efficiency and may therefore only play a significant role in virus spread when high population numbers are reached. The most significant vector for SVBV transmission and spread in the field is C. fragaefolii. Thus in the absence of insect vectors, notably of Chaetosiphon spp. virus-free planting materials can provide excellent control of SVBV.