Genetic diversity and geographic distribution of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) genotypes associated with cassava in East Africa

The genetic variability of whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) species, the vectors of cassava mosaic begomoviruses (CMBs) in cassava growing areas of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, was investigated through comparison of partial sequences of the mitochondria cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) DNA in 2010/11. Two distinct species were obtained including sub-Saharan Africa 1 (SSA1), comprising of two sub-clades (I and II), and a South West Indian Ocean Islands (SWIO) species. Among the SSA1, sub-clade I sequences shared a similarity of 97.8-99.7% with the published Uganda 1 genotypes, and diverged by 0.3-2.2%. A pairwise comparison of SSA1 sub-clade II sequences revealed a similarity of 97.2-99.5% with reference southern Africa genotypes, and diverged by 0.5-2.8%. The SSA1 sub-clade I whiteflies were widely distributed in East Africa (EA). In comparison, the SSA1 sub-clade II whiteflies were detected for the first time in the EA region, and occurred predominantly in the coast regions of Kenya, southern and coast Tanzania. They occurred in low abundance in the Lake Victoria Basin of Tanzania and were widespread in all four regions in Uganda. The SWIO species had a sequence similarity of 97.2-97.7% with the published Reunion sequence and diverged by 2.3-2.8%. The SWIO whiteflies occurred in coast Kenya only. The sub-Saharan Africa 2 whitefly species (Ug2) that was associated with the severe CMD pandemic in Uganda was not detected in our study.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification for rapid identification of biotypes B and Q of the globally invasive pest Bemisia tabaci, and studying population dynamics

BACKGROUND

Bemisia tabaci, the sweetpotato whitefly, is a globally invasive pest that causes serious agricultural damage by transmitting plant viruses. This pest forms a cryptic species complex that displays morphologically indistinguishable biotypes. Among them, the B and Q biotypes are the most important pests worldwide. Because they have different levels of insecticide resistance, these biotypes must be identified in order to achieve proper pest control. Therefore, a convenient, rapid and specific detection method for identifying the two biotypes is necessary.

RESULTS

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was employed for rapid identification of B. tabaci B and Q biotypes. By combining a quick DNA extraction method, identification of the two biotypes was achieved within 1 h of detection time. The LAMP assay was applied to study the dynamics of B. tabaci biotypes both in the field and in greenhouses. It was found that, while temperature may be important for population dynamics of the whitefly in the field, population dynamics in greenhouse conditions may be influenced by the types of insecticide.

CONCLUSION

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.

A cry for help from leaf to root: above ground insect feeding leads to the recruitment of rhizosphere microbes for plant self-protection against subsequent diverse attacks

Plants have evolved general and specific defense mechanisms to protect themselves from diverse enemies, including herbivores and pathogens. To maintain fitness in the presence of enemies, plant defense mechanisms are aimed at inducing systemic resistance: in response to the attack of pathogens or herbivores, plants initiate extensive changes in gene expression to activate "systemic acquired resistance" against pathogens and "indirect defense" against herbivores. Recent work revealed that leaf infestation by whiteflies, stimulated systemic defenses against both an airborne pathogen and a soil-borne pathogen, which was confirmed by the detection of the systemic expression of pathogenesis-related genes in response to salicylic acid and jasmonic acid-signaling pathway activation. Further investigation revealed that plants use self protection mechanisms against subsequent herbivore attacks by recruiting beneficial microorganisms called plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria/fungi, which are capable of reducing whitefly populations. Our results provide new evidence that plant-mediated aboveground to belowground communication and vice versa are more common than expected. 

Critical feeding periods for last instar nymphal and pharate adults of the whiteflies, Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Bemisia tabaci

A critical feeding period is the time after which 50% of a given species of insect can be removed from its food source and complete development by undergoing adult eclosion. The critical feeding period was determined for the greenhouse white fly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, and the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Biotype B) (Homptera/Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Fourth (last) instar and pharate adult whiteflies were removed from green bean leaves, staged, placed on filter paper in small Petri dishes containing drops of water, and observed daily for eclosion. For T. vaporariorum reared at 25 degrees C and L:D 16:8, 55 and 80% adult eclosion were observed when whiteflies were removed at stages 4 (0.23-0.26 mm in body depth) and 5 (> or = 0.27 mm in body depth), respectively, so that at least 50% eclosion was only achieved in this species of whitefly when adult eye development had already been initiated (in Stage 4), and 80% eclosion when adult wing development had been initiated (Stage 5). In contrast, 63% of B. tabaci emerged as adults if removed from the leaf at Stage 3 (0.18-0.22 mm in body depth), and 80% emerged if removed at Stage 4/5, stages in which adult formation had not yet been initiated. The mean number of eggs laid by experimental (those removed at Stages 4-5, 6-7 or 8-9) and control (those that remained on the leaf prior to eclosion) whiteflies, and the mean percent hatch of these eggs were not significantly different in experimental and control groups. Stages 7, 8 and 9 are characterized by a light red adult eye, medium red bipartite adult eye and dark red or red-black bipartite adult eye, respectively. Mean adult longevity also was not significantly different between experimental and control groups. However, for all groups of T. vaporariorum, adult female longevity was significantly (at least 2 times) greater than male longevity. Our results identify the critical feeding periods for last instar/pharate adults of two important pest species of whitefly. Since in both species of whitefly the critical feeding period is achieved when weight gain reaches a plateau, it appears that the critical feeding period is more closely correlated with the attainment of a critical weight than with either the time that ecdsyteroid titers first peak or the time when adult development is initiated.

Incidence of Viruses and Virus like Diseases of Sweetpotato in Uganda

Sweetpotato plants were surveyed for viruslike diseases and viruses in the four major agroecological zones of Uganda. Testing of 1,260 sweetpotato plants, of which 634 had virus-like symptoms, showed that virus disease incidence ranged from 2.7% (Soroti district, short grassland-savannah zone) to 20% (Mukono district, tall grass-forest mosaic zone). Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV), Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV), Sweet potato mild mottle virus (SPMMV), and sweet potato chlorotic fleck virus (SPCFV) were serologically detected and positive results confirmed by immunocapture reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (IC-RT-PCR) and subsequent sequence analyses of the amplified fragments, except SPCFV, which lacked sequence information. SPCSV and SPFMV were detected in all the 14 districts surveyed, whereas SPMMV and SPCFV were detected in 13 and 8 districts, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that SPCSV and SPFMV, SPFMV and SPMMV, and SPFMV and SPCFV more frequently occurred together than any other virus combinations or as single virus infections. Co-infections of SPCSV with SPFMV and/or SPMMV were associated with more severe and persistent symptoms than infections with each of the viruses alone. Several plants (11%) displaying viruslike symptoms did not react with the virus antisera used, suggesting that more viruses or viruslike agents are infecting sweetpotatoes in Uganda.

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus Resistant Tomatoes Show Resistance to Tomato curly stunt virus

A new disease of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) in South Africa has caused severe yield losses. The causative virus, Tomato curly stunt virus (ToCSV) is distantly related to Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). Thirty-two tomato accessions resistant to TYLCV and 8 local cultivars were assessed for their responses to ToCSV infection. Natural infection in a field trial and a screen-house trial with controlled ToCSV-inoculation were conducted. Symptoms were rated using a severity index (SI). Yield parameters were determined in the screenhouse trial to support SI evaluations. Average SI's obtained demonstrate that TYLCV-tolerant tomato accessions, with a few exceptions, have milder symptoms of ToCSV infection than TYLCV-susceptible, sensitive accessions. None of the accessions were immune, with some virus detected in all plants. Yield losses due to ToCSV infection of TYLCV-tolerant tomato accessions were not significant (P > 0.10) with some exceptions. However, TYLCV-sensitive accessions and 8 local cultivars had significant (P < 0.10) yield losses of 49 to 100%. TYLCV-tolerant cultivars may be useful for control of ToCSV, but require evaluation prior to release or use in breeding programs in South Africa.