No abstract

The newly designed LAMP assay is a simple, rapid and accurate method for identifying the B and Q biotypes. It can be conducted by non-specialists and can contribute to pest management.

Invasive events by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotypes in various parts of the world are of continuing interest. The most famous is biotype B that has caused great economic losses globally. In addition, biotype Q has also recently been reported to be a new invasive pest. These two biotypes have been monitored for some time in the Western North Pacific region, but the invasive events and population genetic structures of these two biotypes are still not clear in this region. In this study, the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene was used to reconstruct a phylogenetic tree for identifying biotypes B and Q and to study the relationships between invasive events and ornamental plants. Population genetic analyses of mtCOI sequences were also used to study the genetic relationships within and between populations. A combination of a phylogenetic tree and haplotype analysis suggested the recent invasion of biotype Q in this region is related to the international ornamental trade from the Mediterranean region. Low levels of haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity indicate that the presence of biotypes B and Q in the Western North Pacific region are caused by multiple invasions. Hierarchical analysis of molecular variance supports the hypothesis of multiple invasions. In addition, high sequence identities and low genetic distances within and between populations of the two biotypes revealed that these invasive events occurred recently. The low levels of genetic differentiation revealed by pairwise F (ST) values between populations also suggests the invasions were recent. Therefore, results of this study suggested that biotypes B and Q entered this region through multiple recent invasions. A quarantine of agricultural crops may be necessary to prevent further invasions.

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is among the top 100 invasive pests in the world, and it causes serious agricultural damage and economic losses in many countries. More than 24 biotypes of the sweetpotato whitefly have been detected worldwide, of which the Q biotype has recently been reported to be a new invasive pest spreading throughout the world via trade in poinsettias, Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch (Euphorbiaceae). In 2006, the Q biotype was first recorded in Taiwan in greenhouses, but not in the field, suggesting that the invasion of this biotype might be at an early stage in that country. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene and 12 microsatellite loci were used to investigate the genetic structure of multiple B. tabaci Q biotype populations. The presence of only a few COI haplotypes and a low number of nucleotide differences suggest high genetic similarity among these populations. Microsatellite analyses also revealed low genetic differentiation and frequent gene flow among greenhouses. The molecular evidence supports the occurrence of a recent genetic bottleneck in the B. tabaci Q biotype. Bayesian cluster analyses indicated that at least two invasion events have occurred in Taiwan. Phylogenetic analyses of microsatellites support Q biotype migration among greenhouses, which was likely facilitated by the frequent movement of poinsettias between greenhouses. Future management strategies should focus on developing plantlet trade regulations to avoid further anthropogenic dispersal of the B. tabaci Q biotype among greenhouses in Taiwan.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The six mite species of the genus Euseius Wainstein from Taiwan are reviewed, including E. ovalis (Evans), E. daluensis sp. nov., E. macaranga sp. nov., E. paraovalis sp. nov., and two species recorded for the first time in Taiwan, E. aizawai (Ehara & Bhandhufalck) and E. circellatus (Wu & Li). Measurements of these species and an identification key for adult females of the six Euseius species from Taiwan are provided.