Advances in the Genomics of the Whitefly Bemisia tabaci: An Insect Pest and a Virus Vector

Abstract Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) of insects play a critical role in chemical perceptions and choice of insect host plant. Bemisia tabaci is a notorious insect pest which can damage more than 600 plant species. In order to explore functions of OBPs in B. tabaci, here we investigated binding characteristics and function of odorant-binding protein 3 in B. tabaci (BtabOBP3). The results indicated that BtabOBP3 shows highly similar sequence with OBPs of other insects, including the typical signature motif of six cysteines. The recombinant BtabOBP3 protein was obtained, and the evaluation of binding affinities to tested volatiles of host plant was conducted, then the results indicated that β-ionone had significantly higher binding to BtabOBP3 among other tested plant volatiles. Furthermore, silencing of BtabOBP3 significantly altered choice behavior of B. tabaci to β-ionone. In conclusion, it has been demonstrated that BtabOBP3 exerts function as one carrier of β-ionone and the results could be contributed to reveal the mechanisms of choosing host plant in B. tabaci.

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Monitoring Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Infestation in Soybean Using Hyperspectral Remote Sensing

10.20944/preprints202010.0229.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Pedro P. S. Barros ◽

Inana X. Schutze ◽

Fernando H. Iost Filho ◽

Pedro Takao Yamamoto ◽

Peterson Fiorio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

Bemisia Tabaci ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Remote Sensing Data ◽

Management Program ◽

Hyperspectral Remote Sensing ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Soybean Plants ◽

Soybean Leaves ◽

Different Levels

Although monitoring and observing insect pest populations in the fields is essential in crop management, it is still a laborious and sometimes ineffective process. High infestation levels may diminish the photosynthetic activity of soybean plants, affecting their development and reducing the yield. An imprecise decision making in integrated pest management program may lead to an ineffective control in infested areas or the excessive use of insecticides. In order to reach a more efficient control of arthropods population it is important to evaluate the infestation in time to mitigate its negative effects on the crop and remote sensing is an important tool for monitoring. It was proposed that infested soybean areas could be identified, and the arthropods quantified from non-infested areas in a field by hyperspectral remote sensing. Thus, the goals of this study were to investigate and discriminate the reflectance characteristics of soybean non-infested and infested with Bemisia tabaci using hyperspectral remote sensing data. Therefore, samples of infested and non-infested soybean leaves were collected and transported to the laboratory to obtain the hyperspectral curves. The results obtained allowed to discriminate the different levels of infestation and to separate healthy from whitefly infested soybean leaves based on their reflectance.

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RNA interference-mediated tolerance to whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) in genetically engineered tomato

10.21203/rs.3.rs-865427/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Carolina Senhorinho Ramalho Pizetta ◽

William Rafael Ribeiro ◽

Amanda Lopes Ferreira ◽

Matheus da Costa Moura ◽

Kenny Bonfim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rna Interference ◽

Transgenic Plants ◽

Bemisia Tabaci ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Genetically Engineered ◽

Horticultural Crops ◽

Transgenic Tomato Plants ◽

Atpase Gene ◽

Transgenic Lines ◽

Polyphagous Insect

Abstract Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is a polyphagous insect that causes huge damage in several horticultural crops, including tomato, by sucking nutrients from the phloem and transmitting viruses. Whiteflies are particularly difficult to manage and the use of chemicals remains the common practice, which causes the development of insecticidal resistance. Thus, there is considerable interest in the introduction of whitefly resistance by classical and molecular breeding. Here, we explored the concept of using an RNA interference construct to silence a v-ATPase gene in whiteflies interacting with transgenic tomato plants that express siRNA molecules corresponding to a fragment from the B. tabaci vATPase. PCR analyses revealed the presence of both ΔATPase and nptII transgenes in all transgenic lines. siRNA expressing lines were challenged against whitefly and revealed a mortality rate of 57.1% in transgenic line 4.4.1, while in the control the mortality was 7.6%. Mortality of 2nd instar nymphs was higher on the transgenic plants and the development of 3rd instar nymphs was slightly longer than on the control plants. Although the attraction of insects was not significantly different between treatments, the number of eggs laid by the insects on the transgenic plants was significantly lower, compared to the controls. RT-qPCR revealed a decreased expression level of endogenous v-ATPase gene in whiteflies feeding on transgenic plants. No unexpected effect was observed on the non-target insects Myzus persicae or Tuta absoluta. Results presented here may form the foundation for the generation of elite tomato varieties resistant to whitefly, a devastating insect pest.

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TANAMAN INDIKATOR DAN TEKNIK RAPD-PCR UNTUK PENENTUAN BIOTIPE BEMISIA TABACI GENNADIUS (HEMIPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE)

JURNAL HAMA DAN PENYAKIT TUMBUHAN TROPIKA ◽

10.23960/j.hptt.181-7 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Purnama Hidayat ◽

Noor Aidawati ◽

Sri Hendrastuti Hidayat ◽

Dewi Sartiami

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Bemisia Tabaci ◽

Virus Vector ◽

Indicator Plant ◽

Chilli Pepper ◽

Genetic Types ◽

Rapd Pcr ◽

Major Pest ◽

Biotype B

Indicator Plant and PCR-RAPD for Biotype Determination of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae).B. tabaci has been known world wide as a major pest and virus vector of horticulture. In Indonesia the presence of B.tabaci was reported since 1980 and its role as virus vector in tomato and chilli pepper has becoming more importantrecently. Genetic diversity of B. tabaci has been well recognized, but very little information available for diversity of B.tabaci in Indonesia. This research was conducted in Bogor, West Java from May 2004 to June 2005. The aim of thisresearch was to initiate basic information regarding genetic diversity of B. tabaci in Indonesia, particularly in Java Island.Whiteflies population collected from different crops, i.e. tomato, broccoli, chill pepper, eggplant, cucumber, soybean, andedamame, was evaluated using silverleaf-induction test, and RAPD-PCR. It was evidenced that only B. tabaci populationfrom broccoli was able to induce silverleaf. Two genetic types of B. tabaci, i.e. biotype B and non B, were identified basedon polymorphism character of DNA. Population from broccoli was belong to biotype B, whereas other populations fromtomato, chill pepper, eggplant, cucumber, soybean, and edamame were belong to biotype non B.

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PENGARUH KERAPATAN BULU DAUN PADA TANAMAN KAPAS TERHADAP KOLONISASI Bemisia tabaci GENNADIUS

Jurnal Penelitian Tanaman Industri ◽

10.21082/jlittri.v11n3.2005.101-106 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 101

Author(s):

I G.A.A. INDRAYANI ◽

EMY SULISTYOWATI

Keyword(s):

Gossypium Hirsutum ◽

Bemisia Tabaci ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Resistant Variety ◽

Cotton Leaf ◽

Trichome Density ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Cotton Whitefly

ABSTRACT Ketahanan tanaman terhadap serangga hama berdasarkan karakter morfologi bulu (trichom) pada daun merupakan salah satu cara potensial mengurangi penggunaan insektisida kimia dalam pengendalian hama. Serangga hama pengisap Bemisia tabaci pada tanaman kapas juga dapat dikendalikan dengan menggunakan varietas kapas resisten berdasarkan karakter morfologi bulu daun. Penelitian peranan kerapatan bulu daun pada tanaman kapas terhadap kolonisasi B. tabaci Gennadius dilakukan di Kebun Percobaan Pasirian, Kabupaten Lumajang, dan di Laboratorium Entomologi Balai Penelitian Tanaman Tembakau dan Serat Malang, mulai April hingga Juli 2005. Tujuan penelitian adalah untuk mengetahui peranan kerapatan bulu daun pada beberapa aksesi plasma nutfah kapas terhadap kolonisasi B. tabaci. Perlakuan terdiri atas 11 aksesi plasma nutfah kapas yang dipilih berdasarkan penilaian visual pada karakter kerapatan bulu daun yang mewakili kerapatan bulu rendah hingga tinggi, yaitu: (1) KK-3 (KI 638), (2) Kanesia 1 (KI 436), (3) A/35 Reba P 279 (KI 257), (4) Acala 1517 (KI 174), (5) Asembagus 5/A/1 (KI 162), (6) 619- 998xLGS-10-77-3-1 (KI 76), (7) DP Acala 90 (KI 23), (8) TAMCOT SP 21 (KI 6)), (9) Kanesia 8 (KI 677), (10) CTX-8 (KI 494), dan (11) CTX-1 (KI 487). Penelitian disusun dalam rancangan acak lengkap (RAL) dengan 10 ulangan. Paramater yang diamati adalah jumlah bulu daun, telur dan nimfa pada 1 cm2 luas daun, serta jumlah imago B. tabaci pada daun ketiga dari atas tanaman. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kerapatan bulu daun berkorelasi positif dengan kolonisasi B. tabaci (R=0,9701). Semakin tinggi kerapatan bulu daun, semakin meningkat kolonisasi B. tabaci. Kolonisasi B. tabaci lebih tinggi pada CTX-1, CTX-8, Kanesia 8, dan KK-3 (150-250 individu/cm 2 luas daun) karena tingkat kerapatan bulu daun juga lebih tinggi (150-300 helai/cm 2 luas daun) dibanding TAMCOT SP 21, DP Acala 90, 619-998xLGS-10-77-3-1, Asembagus 5/A/1, Acala 1517, A/35 Reba P 279, dan Kanesia 1 yang memiliki kerapatan bulu daun (0-100 helai/cm 2 luas daun) dan tingkat kolonisasi B. tabaci (<100 individu/cm 2 luas daun) lebih rendah. Kata kunci : Kapas, Gossypium hirsutum, plasma nutfah, hama, Bemisia tabaci, trichom, kolonisasi, Jawa Timur ABSTRACT Role of trichome density of cotton leaf to colonization of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius Trichome-based host plant resistance offers the potential to reduce chemical insecticides used in insect pest control. Cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci can be controlled by using resistant variety based on trichome density as plant morphological characteristics. The study on the role of trichome density of cotton accessions on the colonization of B. tabaci was carried out at Pasirian Experimental Station at Lumajang, and at Entomology Laboratory of Indonesian Tobacco and Fiber Crops Research Institute (IToFCRI ) in Malang from April to July 2005. Treatments included 11 cotton accessions, viz. (1) KK-3 (KI 638), (2) Kanesia 1 (KI 436), (3) A/35 Reba P 279 (KI 257), (4) Acala 1517 (KI 174), (5) Asembagus 5/A/1 (KI 162), (6) 619-998xLGS-10-77-3-1 (KI 76), (7) DP Acala 90 (KI 23), (8) TAMCOT SP 21 (KI 6)), (9) Kanesia 8 (KI 677), (10) CTX-8 (KI 494), and (11) CTX-1 (KI 487). The experiment was arranged in completely randomized design with ten replications. Parameters observed were trichome density, number of eggs and nymphs on one cm2 of leaf and adult of B. tabaci on 3rd highest leaf of cotton plant. The result showed that trichome density was positively correlated with B. tabaci colonization (R=0,9701) in which higher trichome density of cotton leaf has resulted in great colonization of B. tabaci. Bemisia tabaci colonisation was higher on CTX-1, CTX-8, Kanesia 8, and KK-3 (150-250 individu/cm2 of leaf) due to dense trichome (150-300 trichomes/cm2 leaf) as compared with other accessions, viz. TAMCOT SP 21, DP Acala 90, 619-998xLGS-10-77-3-1, Asembagus 5/A/1, Acala 1517, A/35 Reba P 279, and Kanesia 1 which showed less density of leaf trichome (0-100 trichomes/cm2 of leaf) and B. tabaci colonization (< 100 individu/cm2 of leaf). Key words : Cotton, Gossypium hirsutum, cotton accession, pest, Bemisia tabaci, trichome, colonization

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Seasonal diversity of entomofauna, their impact and management practices in tomato fields in Meru district, Tanzania

African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development ◽

10.18697/ajfand.99.19680 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (04) ◽

pp. 17952-17971

Author(s):

Gabriel Michael ◽

◽

AMS Nyomora ◽

EF Mvungi ◽

EM Sangu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bemisia Tabaci ◽

Management Practices ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Tomato Leaf ◽

Tuta Absoluta ◽

Leaf Miner ◽

Yield Reduction ◽

Leaf Miners ◽

Frequent Application

Tomato is a highly cultivated vegetable in Tanzania. The intensive tomato cultivation and production in Tanzania has resulted in high pests and diseases build-up. A survey to identify and quantify entomofauna diversity in different seasons and pest management practices in Meru District was conducted. In addition, a laboratory experiment was done to assess the effectiveness of commonly used pesticides SnowBecco (Thiamethoxam)and Belt (Flubendiamide) against two dominating insect pests, white flies (Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889)) and leaf miner (Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917)), respectively. The results obtained revealed that, tomato fields in Meru District had significantly higher entomofauna build up during dry season than the rainy season (U0.05 (df, 24)= 45, p = 0.0441). More than 70% of all collected entomofauna were dominated by the whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) and tomato leaf miners (Tuta absoluta) belonging to orders Hemiptera and Lepidoptera, respectively. It was also observed that, the common pesticides management practices were the use of pesticidal cocktail, broad spectrum insecticides, use of botanical pesticides, frequent application of pesticide and insecticides over dosage. Moreover, yield reduction due to whiteflies and tomato leaf miners infestation were observed in terms of reduced fruits number per plant (38 and 18.4%), fruit size (22.4 and 14.2%), and fruits weight per plant by 43.6 and 26.2%, for Bemisia tabaci and Tuta absoluta, respectively. The study showed that the recommended doses in both tested insecticides caused significant pest mortality (F0.05 (df, 19) = 4.367, p = 0.0199) and (F0.05(df, 19) = 4.761, p = 0.0147) for B. tabaci and T. absoluta, respectively, within a specified period of time. The results suggest that high insect pest infestations could be caused by factors other than development of insecticidal tolerance including inappropriate identification of insect pests due to lack of training, and inappropriate selection and application of insecticides. Consequently, frequent application of broad spectra insecticides not only increases production expenses but also disrupts agroecosystem by killing beneficial entomofauna and disrupting soil organisms that are susceptible to insecticide toxicity.

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Toxicological Assays in Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) from Cabbage Plots in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.30.4.830c ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 830C-830

Author(s):

Rosalía Servín ◽

Jos L. Martínez ◽

E. Troyo-Diguez ◽

A. Ortega

Keyword(s):

Bemisia Tabaci ◽

Baja California ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Residual Activity ◽

Baja California Sur ◽

Sweetpotato Whitefly ◽

La Paz ◽

Susceptible Populations ◽

And Control ◽

Scintillation Vial

The sweetpotato whitefly [Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)] has become a high-risk insect pest in Mexico as well as in other countries, causing serious damage to several crops. Control of whitefly in Baja California Sur, ,Mexico, is usually done by intense insecticides applications, either alone or in mixtures of several kinds. The aim in this work was to determine its susceptibility to cypermethrin, endosulfan, methamidophos, and methyl-parathion. LC50 was obtained to identify the resistant and susceptible populations. A group of 20 whiteflies were introduced in a 20-ml scintillation vial coated in the inner surface with a known concentration of the insecticide. Mortality readings were obtained 3 h after exposing the insects to the residual activity at five concentrations. Five replications and control were run in different consecutive days for each bioassay. Results indicated that cypermethrin was the most toxic to B. tabaci and metamidophos the least. Data will be considered for further evaluations.

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Infestation by Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and incidence of whitefly-transmitted viruses after the application of four biorational insecticides in some crops in Egypt

International Journal of Tropical Insect Science ◽

10.1017/s1742758415000168 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 35 (03) ◽

pp. 132-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Shaaban Abd-Rabou ◽

Alvin M. Simmons

Keyword(s):

Bemisia Tabaci ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Plant Viruses ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Row Crops ◽

Squash Leaf Curl Virus ◽

Virus Incidence ◽

Leaf Curl Virus ◽

Treated Plot ◽

Leaf Curl

Bemisia tabaci(Gennadius) is a global insect pest that transmits many important plant viruses. A field study was conducted on infestation byB. tabaciand incidence of whitefly-transmitted viruses after the application of selected foliar and seed-treated biorational insecticides in seven vegetable and row crops in Egypt. Three foliar insecticides (Actara, Biofly and Neemix) and a treated check (Actellic) were assayed across three weeks on seedlings and mature plants, and two seed-treated insecticides (Actara and Gaucho) and a treated check (Aldicarb) were assayed on seedlings. All of the foliar insecticides led to 60–100% reductions in whitefly infestations in each crop. Biofly and Neemix were the least efficacious insecticides. Incidences of whitefly-transmitted viruses were reduced in each insecticide-treated plot with seedlings of four crops; however, no effect on virus incidence was observed in the experiment with mature plants. Crops of cucumber, eggplant, squash and tomato displayed symptoms characteristic ofCucumber vein yellowing virus,Squash leaf curl virusorTomato yellow leaf curl virus; however, no symptoms of whitefly-transmitted viruses were observed in green bean, potato or sugar beet. The results show that several biorational insecticides may suppress whitefly populations in seedlings to delay whitefly-transmitted viruses in some vegetable crops in Egypt.

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Tomato yellow leaf curl virus Can Be Acquired and Transmitted by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) from Tomato Fruit

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis.2003.87.11.1297 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 87 (11) ◽

pp. 1297-1300 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

H. Delatte ◽

A. Dalmon ◽

D. Rist ◽

I. Soustrade ◽

G. Wuster ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bemisia Tabaci ◽

Potential Risk ◽

High Titer ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Tomato Fruit ◽

Tomato Yellow Leaf ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Yellow Leaf ◽

Leaf Curl Virus ◽

Leaf Curl

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is an insect pest causing worldwide economic losses, especially as a vector of geminiviruses such as Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). Currently, imported and exported tomato fruit are not monitored for TYLCV infection because they are not considered to represent a potential risk as a virus source for whiteflies. A survey of tomato fruit imported into Réunion Island indicated that more than 50% of the fruit contained TYLCV as determined by DNA blot analysis. Moreover, we showed that TYLCV was present at a high titer in tomato fruit, and demonstrated that it can be acquired by whiteflies and subsequently transmitted to healthy tomato plants. Potential risk of the spread of TYLCV by tomato fruit in natural conditions needs to be further assessed.

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Improving climate suitability for Bemisia tabaci in East Africa is correlated with increased prevalence of whiteflies and cassava diseases

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-79149-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Darren J. Kriticos ◽

Ross E. Darnell ◽

Tania Yonow ◽

Noboru Ota ◽

Robert W. Sutherst ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Bemisia Tabaci ◽

Climate Changes ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽

Central Africa ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Climatic Niche ◽

Niche Model

AbstractProjected climate changes are thought to promote emerging infectious diseases, though to date, evidence linking climate changes and such diseases in plants has not been available. Cassava is perhaps the most important crop in Africa for smallholder farmers. Since the late 1990’s there have been reports from East and Central Africa of pandemics of begomoviruses in cassava linked to high abundances of whitefly species within the Bemisia tabaci complex. We used CLIMEX, a process-oriented climatic niche model, to explore if this pandemic was linked to recent historical climatic changes. The climatic niche model was corroborated with independent observed field abundance of B. tabaci in Uganda over a 13-year time-series, and with the probability of occurrence of B. tabaci over 2 years across the African study area. Throughout a 39-year climate time-series spanning the period during which the pandemics emerged, the modelled climatic conditions for B. tabaci improved significantly in the areas where the pandemics had been reported and were constant or decreased elsewhere. This is the first reported case where observed historical climate changes have been attributed to the increase in abundance of an insect pest, contributing to a crop disease pandemic.

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