Sequence Analysis of mtDNA CO/Gene and Molecular Phylogeny of Different Geographical Populations of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)

Bemisia tabaci(Gennadius) is a serious pest in many cropping systems worldwide and occurs in different biotypes. ThemtDNA COI gene of the 12 Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) populations from different regions and countries were analyzed.Based on mtDNA COI sequences, their biotypes were characterized and phylogenetic relationships among thesepopulations were established with the method of UPGMA. The results indicated the genetic similarity between thosepopulations from Beijing, Zhengzhou, Zaozhuang, Nanjing, Shanghai, Haikou, and the B-biotype populations fromCalifornia, Texas, Arizona reached 99.8-100%, which meant the nation-wide infested populations of B.tabaci in China inrecent years were B-biotypes. Another population collected from Kunming of Yunnan Province showed very high similaritywith Q-biotype B.tabaci from Spain and Morocco, which meant the Kunming population was Q-biotype. This is the firstreport on the invasion of Q-biotype into China.

Genetic Differentiation of Different Geographical Populations of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) Complex

Bemisia tabaci （Gennadius） is a species complex, which includes different geographical populations with genetic differentiation. The recent progress on the genetic differentiation of various geographical populations of B. tabaci complex was introduced. The genetic differentiation was further analyzed on the basis of the sequences of mtDNA COI and rDNA ITS1 recorded in the world＇s GenBank. Five groups are defined on the basis of mtDNA COI and rDNA ITS1, including the Asia group, America group, Africa group, Australia group, and Biotype B/Mediterranean/Middle East/ Northern Africa/Biotype Ms group. There are several ungrouped geographical classifications, such as the Uganda population, Ivory Coast population, and Taiwan population. Geographical isolation may be the most important factor that contributed to the genetic differentiation of various geographical populations of B. tabaci. Many populations with biological advantages invaded new regions and caused severe economic losses within human activity. It is necessary to strengthen the research of B. tabaci biotype to prevent the spread of invaded populations and the invasion of potentially dangerous populations.

HOST PLANT PREFERENCES OF BEMISIA TABACI GENNADIUS

The preferences of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius for five host plants:poinsettia, tomato, cabbage,sweet potato and flowering Chinese cabbage, was tested using a Y-tube olfactometer and a desiccator in the labo-ratory. The results show that B. tabaci adults were attracted by the odors of the five plants. The order of prefer-ence was poinsettia > flowering Chinese cabbage > sweet potato > cabbage > tomato. Preference was extremely sig-nificant between poinsettia and the other four plants, and between flowering Chinese cabbage, cabbage and toma-to. There was no significant difference in preference for flowering Chinese cabbage and sweet potato, sweet pota-to, cabbage and tomato or between cabbage and tomato.