Characterization of Bemisia (Hom., Aleyrodidae) from the Lesser Antilles by electrophoresis

Abstract

For several years, whiteflies of the genus Bemisia (Hom., Aleyrodidae) have caused major damage to vegetable crops in the Lesser Antilles, and have revealed new symptoms. The genetic characterization of the populations involved was attempted using esterases polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Most of the individuals analysed showed an identical enzymatic profile, which also appears to be similar to the profile of Bemisia argentifolii (Bellows and Perring) described in the United‐States. However, the individuals collected on Jatropha gossypifolia (L.) were different, and matched the N biotype of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) known in Puerto Rico.

Extensive Settlement of the Invasive Meam1 population ofBemisia tabaci(Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in the Caribbean and Rare Detection of Indigenous Populations

“…This invading population was named biotype B (now MEAM1) after the "B" type esterase pattern, whereas the A type was named biotype A, which is presently mapped to the species "New World" (NW). In the 1990s, a signiÞcant increase in the whiteßy populations belonging to the genus Bemisia as well as SSL symptoms were detected in the Lesser Antilles (Sauvion et al 1999, Ryckewaert andAlauzet 2001) and in Brazil (Lima et al 2000). The presence of MEAM1 in the Caribbean Islands and in Brazil was conÞrmed using esterase patterns and RAPD, respectively.…”

“…However, in the absence of sequence data, the authors could not exclude that these whiteßies collected on J. gossypifolia may belong to a species other than B. tabaci. Beside these few non-MEAM1 individuals, all other B. tabaci individuals collected in the Lesser Antilles exhibited a B-type esterase pattern, regardless of the island on which they were collected (Grenada, St Vincent, Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Nevis, St Kitts) and their host plant (Sauvion et al 1999, Ryckewaert andAlauzet 2001). The second group considered as invasive is the MED species that was reported for the Þrst time in the United States in 2004 and in Guatemala in 2005 (Bethke et al 2009) but has not been reported from the Caribbean islands to date.…”

“…The other populations belonged to MEAM1. Fifteen individuals collected in the 1990s on several J. gossypifolia plants in Martinique also were identiÞed as belonging to the Jatropha host race according to esterase results (Ryckewaert and Alauzet 2001). However, in the absence of sequence data, the authors could not exclude that these whiteßies collected on J. gossypifolia may belong to a species other than B. tabaci.…”

Host Plant Mediated Population Variations of Cotton Whitefly Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Aleyrodidae: Homoptera) Characterized with Random DNA Markers

“…Moreover, newer viruses transmitted by whiteflies were also reported and is continuing even today [6] . As early as 1986 [2,7,8] , revealed the existence of a new biotype of B. tabaci named 'B' biotype.…”

“…New areas have been occupied by the virulent biotypes as noticed with the simultaneous outbreak of new symptoms unknown with B. tabaci such as squash silver leaf, tomato irregular ripening and yellowing and specific biological behaviors viz., severe attacks on nonsusceptible crops such as cabbage and resistance to most of the insecticides [6] . Moreover, newer viruses transmitted by whiteflies were also reported and is continuing even today [6] .…”