A landscape genetic analysis of important agricultural pest species in Tunisia: The whitefly Bemisia tabaci

AbstractThe Bemisia tabaci species complex is one of the most important pests of open field and protected cropping globally. Within this complex, one species (Middle East Asia Minor 1, B. tabaci MEAM1, formerly biotype B) has been especially problematic, invading widely and spreading a large variety of plant pathogens, and developing broad spectrum pesticide resistance. Here, we fit a CLIMEX model to the distribution records of B. tabaci MEAM1, using experimental observations to calibrate its temperature responses. In fitting the model, we consider the effects of irrigation and glasshouses in extending its potential range. The validated niche model estimates its potential distribution as being considerably broader than its present known distribution, especially in the Americas, Africa and Asia. The potential distribution of the fitted model encompasses the known distribution of B. tabaci sensu lato, highlighting the magnitude of the threat posed globally by this invasive pest species complex and the viruses it vectors to open field and protected agriculture.

Download Full-text

Landscape-Genetic Analysis of Population Structure in the Texas Gray Fox Oral Rabies Vaccination Zone

Journal of Wildlife Management ◽

10.2193/2008-336 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 73 (8) ◽

pp. 1292-1299 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Randy W. Deyoung ◽

Angeline Zamorano ◽

Brian T. Mesenbrink ◽

Tyler A. Campbell ◽

Bruce R. Leland ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Population Structure ◽

Genetic Analysis ◽

Gray Fox ◽

Landscape Genetic ◽

Rabies Vaccination

Download Full-text

Cassava whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in East African farming landscapes: a review of the factors determining abundance

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485318000032 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 108 (5) ◽

pp. 565-582 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

S. Macfadyen ◽

C. Paull ◽

L.M. Boykin ◽

P. De Barro ◽

M.N. Maruthi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

East Africa ◽

Bemisia Tabaci ◽

Natural Enemies ◽

Research Effort ◽

Abiotic Factors ◽

Plant Viruses ◽

Published Data ◽

Pest Species ◽

Knowledge Gaps ◽

The Impact

AbstractBemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a pest species complex that causes widespread damage to cassava, a staple food crop for millions of households in East Africa. Species in the complex cause direct feeding damage to cassava and are the vectors of multiple plant viruses. Whilst significant work has gone into developing virus-resistant cassava cultivars, there has been little research effort aimed at understanding the ecology of these insect vectors. Here we assess critically the knowledge base relating to factors that may lead to high population densities of sub-Saharan African (SSA) B. tabaci species in cassava production landscapes of East Africa. We focus first on empirical studies that have examined biotic or abiotic factors that may lead to high populations. We then identify knowledge gaps that need to be filled to deliver sustainable management solutions. We found that whilst many hypotheses have been put forward to explain the increases in abundance witnessed since the early 1990s, there are little published data and these tend to have been collected in a piecemeal manner. The most critical knowledge gaps identified were: (i) understanding how cassava cultivars and alternative host plants impact population dynamics and natural enemies; (ii) the impact of natural enemies in terms of reducing the frequency of outbreaks and (iii) the use and management of insecticides to delay the development of resistance. In addition, there are several fundamental methodologies that need to be developed and deployed in East Africa to address some of the more challenging knowledge gaps.

Download Full-text

Survey of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotypes in Brazil using RAPD markers

Genetics and Molecular Biology ◽

10.1590/s1415-47572000000400012 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 781-785 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

L.H.C. Lima ◽

D. Návia ◽

P.W. Inglis ◽

M.R.V. de Oliveira

Keyword(s):

Bemisia Tabaci ◽

Rapd Markers ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Cultivated Plants ◽

Correct Identification ◽

Silverleaf Whitefly ◽

Agricultural Pest ◽

Rapd Pcr ◽

B Biotype

In 1991, the poinsettia strain, silverleaf whitefly or B biotype of Bemisia tabaci was detected in Brazil. This variant is a far more serious agricultural pest than the previously prevalent non-B (BR) biotype. The correct identification of B. tabaci is problematic since it is highly polymorphic with extreme plasticity in key morphological characters that vary according to the host. RAPD-PCR was used to survey the B biotype and other biotypes of B. tabaci in Brazil. Whiteflies were collected from cultivated plants and weeds from 57 different localities and on 27 distinct crops. RAPD analyses using two selected 10-mer primers reliably identified the BR biotype and the B biotype of B. tabaci and also differentiated other whitefly species. The presence of the B biotype was confirmed in 20 Brazilian states. The BR and B biotypes of B. tabaci were found to coexist in the whitefly populations of three different localities: Jaboticabal, SP; Rondonópolis and Cuiabá, MT, and Goiânia, GO.

Download Full-text

Transcriptomic dissection of sexual differences in Bemisia tabaci, an invasive agricultural pest worldwide

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/srep04088 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Wen Xie ◽

Litao Guo ◽

Xiaoguo Jiao ◽

Nina Yang ◽

Xin Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bemisia Tabaci ◽

Sexual Differences ◽

Agricultural Pest

Download Full-text

The effect of gene flow from unsampled demes in landscape genetic analysis

Molecular Ecology Resources ◽

10.1111/1755-0998.13267 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Andrew J. Shirk ◽

Erin L. Landguth ◽

Samuel A. Cushman

Keyword(s):

Gene Flow ◽

Genetic Analysis ◽

Landscape Genetic

Download Full-text

Facultative Symbiont Hamiltonella Confers Benefits to Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), an Invasive Agricultural Pest Worldwide

Environmental Entomology ◽

10.1603/en13182 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 42 (6) ◽

pp. 1265-1271 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Qi Su ◽

Kerry M. Oliver ◽

Huipeng Pan ◽

Xiaoguo Jiao ◽

Baiming Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bemisia Tabaci ◽

Agricultural Pest

Download Full-text

Genetic diversity of whitefly (Bemisia spp.) on crop and uncultivated plants in Uganda: implications for the control of this devastating pest species complex in Africa

Journal of Pest Science ◽

10.1007/s10340-021-01355-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Habibu Mugerwa ◽

John Colvin ◽

Titus Alicai ◽

Christopher A. Omongo ◽

Richard Kabaalu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Bemisia Tabaci ◽

Species Complex ◽

Viral Disease ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Eastern Africa ◽

Pest Species ◽

Sida Acuta ◽

Putative Species ◽

Plant Hosts

AbstractOver the past three decades, highly increased whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) populations have been observed on the staple food crop cassava in eastern Africa and associated with ensuing viral disease pandemics and food insecurity. Increased whitefly numbers have also been observed in other key agricultural crops and weeds. Factors behind the population surges on different crops and their interrelationships are unclear, although in cassava they have been associated with specific populations within the Bemisia tabaci species complex known to infest cassava crops in Africa. This study carried out an in-depth survey to understand the distribution of B. tabaci populations infesting crops and uncultivated plant hosts in Uganda, a centre of origin for this pest complex. Whitefly samples were collected from 59 identified plant species and 25 unidentified weeds in a countrywide survey. Identities of 870 individual adult whiteflies were determined through mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 sequences (651 bp) in the 3′ barcode region used for B. tabaci systematics. Sixteen B. tabaci and five related whitefly putative species were identified based on > 4.0% nucleotide divergence, of which three are proposed as novel B. tabaci putative species and four as novel closely related whitefly species. The most prevalent whiteflies were classified as B. tabaci MED-ASL (30.5% of samples), sub-Saharan Africa 1 (SSA1, 22.7%) and Bemisia Uganda1 (12.1%). These species were also indicated to be the most polyphagous occurring on 33, 40 and 25 identified plant species, respectively. Multiple (≥ 3) whitefly species occurred on specific crops (bean, eggplant, pumpkin and tomato) and weeds (Sida acuta and Ocimum gratissimum). These plants may have increased potential to act as reservoirs for mixed infections of whitefly-vectored viruses. Management of whitefly pest populations in eastern Africa will require an integration of approaches that consider their degree of polyphagy and a climate that enables the continuous presence of crop and uncultivated plant hosts.

Download Full-text