Molecular Characterization and Geographical Distribution of Whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Jordan

Abstract

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is a large complex of cryptic species and is considered an invasive pest transmitting many plant viruses. It is a highly polyphagous insect that causes damage and economic losses to many plant species including vegetables, cotton, ornamentals, and weeds either in the open field or the greenhouses. A two-year survey (2016 to 2018) was conducted to biotype B. tabaci for B (MEAN1) and Q (MED) biotypes putative species. 18 host plants were screened from 14 different locations with a total of 101 samples that were collected and tested. Microsatellite markers and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mt COI) gene sequencing were used. The results showed that biotype B is dominant and prevailed in all surveyed locations.