Abstract Leaf curl disease of cotton caused by the CLCuD-complex of begomoviruses is endemic to Pakistan and India and perhaps other nearby locales in south Asia. It has been introduced from there to China and the Philippines on ornamental plants, from where it has spread to infect cotton and okra in China. Losses are difficult to assess, but early estimates (pre-1990) range up to 20% when infection occurs early in the growing season and/or with highly susceptible cultivars Viruliferous whiteflies on infested/infected plants harbouring CLCuD-begomoviruses imported to other cotton-growing countries, in particular, are of concern in preventing introduction under optimal circumstances. No seed transmission is known to occur.