Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) presents a major biosecurity threat to the Australian industry. The exotic Cotton blue disease (CBD) is also of concern.

Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) is caused by a complex of different begomoviruses and DNA-β satellite molecules. Both the viruses and the satellites are transmitted by the Silverleaf whitefly (SLW).

Worldwide, virus diseases, especially Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) cause serious economic losses to cotton production.