The melon Vat gene confers resistance to the aphid species Aphis gossypii and resistance to non-persistent viruses (CMV, WMV…) when inoculated by this species. It is however ineffective in blocking the transmission of viruses inoculated by other aphid species. Its effect on non-persistent virus epidemics is thus expected to be limited when A. gossypii is not the main aphid species visiting the melon crop. On the contrary, although not documented, its effect on the persistent virus CABYV mainly vectored by A. gossypii is expected to be strong. The first objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of Vat on virus epidemics and on the genetic structure of virus populations in field conditions. The second objective was to investigate the benefit of combining Vat resistance and an appropriate management of field margins to regulate the populations of aphids and/or their virus load. Indeed, literature suggests that flower strips can participate in pest biological control by favoring natural enemies, and strips of non-host plants can protect crops from non-persistent viruses by allowing aphids to probe on healthy plants and thus to lose their virus load before reaching the crops.