Transmission of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus by Bemisia tabaci as Affected by Whitefly Sex and Biotype

Abstract

Bemisia tabaci is a serious pest of vegetables and other crops worldwide. The most damaging and predominant B. tabaci biotypes are B and Q, and both are vectors of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). Previous research has shown that Q outperforms B in many respects but comparative research is lacking on the ability of B and Q to transmit viruses. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that B and Q differ in their ability to transmit TYLCV and that this difference helps explain TYLCV outbreaks. We compared the acquisition, retention, and transmission of TYLCV by B and Q females and males. We found that Q females are more efficient than Q males, B females, and B males at TYLCV acquisition and transmission. Although TYLCV acquisition and transmission tended to be greater for B females than B males, the differences were not statistically significant. Based on electrical penetration graphs determination of phloem sap ingestion parameters, females fed better than males, and Q females fed better than Q males, B females, or B males. These results are consistent with the occurrences of TYLCV outbreaks in China, which have been associated with the spread of Q rather than B.

Vector mediated transmission of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum and epidemiological consequences

“…Therefore, similar proportions of males and females reaching phloem sieve elements would lead to similar inoculation rates between sexes as observed in our study. Our results are consistent with a previous study conducted with Bemisia tabaci biotype B transmitting Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), where similar percentage of males and females reached the phloem of tomato plants and caused similar percentages of transmission of TYLCV for both sexes (Ning et al 2015). In addition, our data also agree with Nissinen et al (2014), who reported similar Lso percentages of transmission for male and females of the carrot psyllid T. apicalis.…”

“…These results are consistent with related studies where increased phloem ingestion by females has been observed in other psyllid species as well as other hemipterans such as whiteflies, planthoppers, leafhoppers and thrips (Swenson, 1971;Narayana and Muniyappa, 1996;Serikawa 2011;van de Wetering et al, 1999;Ning et al, 2015). Increased phloem ingestion could be explained because females commonly require a high amount of nutrients to supply energetically costly processes such as egg production (Swenson, 1971;Nissinen et al 2014).…”

“…Several studies using different hemipterans insects have correlated the number and duration of phloem salivation with the transmission of different phloem restricted pathogens (Jiang et al, 2000;Moreno-Delafuente et al, 2013;Mustafa et al, 2015;Ning et al, 2015). Our data showed that females of B. trigonica significantly reached the phloem more times and tended to salivate longer than males thereby affecting the Lso titre transmitted by males and females.Thus, females of B. trigonica with high Lso titres inoculate higher titres than males.…”

Single basal application of thiacloprid for the integrated management of Meloidogyne incognita and Bemisia tabaci in tomato crops

“…In China, M. incognita and B-biotype B. tabaci have become two of the most important agricultural pests, attacking a wide range of crops and causing dramatic yield losses1314. Nematodes are mainly controlled by soil application of pesticides, and whitefly control relies on repeated foliar spraying.…”

Identification of mungbean lines with tolerance or resistance to yellow mosaic in fields in India where different begomovirus species and different Bemisia tabaci cryptic species predominate

“…For example, the invasive nature of the Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED) species has been associated with their greater fecundity and relative polyphagy, and propensity for developing resistance to many of the insecticides used for their control (Horowitz et al 2007). An invasion of these species often goes along with severe virus outbreaks (Pan et al 2012;Zhang et al 2014;Guo et al 2015;Ning et al 2015) as both transmit begomoviruses very efficiently.…”