Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #234535
Title: Extensive survey of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotypes in Florida investigating the Q invasion

Author
item McKenzie, Cindy
item Boykin, Laura
item Shatters, Robert - Bob
item HODGES, G - FDACS, DPI
item OSBORNE, L - UNIV OF FL, APOPKA
item BYRNE, F - UNIV OF CA, RIVERSIDE

Submitted to: European Whitefly Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/25/2008
Publication Date: 10/20/2008
Citation: McKenzie, C.L., Boykin, L.M., Shatters, R.G., Hodges, G., Osborne, L.S., Byrne, F. 2008. Extensive survey of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotypes in Florida investigating the Q invasion [abstract]. European Whitefly Symposium Proceedings. Abstracts, p. 29.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: After the discovery of the Bemisia tabaci Q biotype in the U.S., there was an urgent need to determine its spread. As part of a coordinated whole country survey, an extensive survey of Bemisia tabaci biotypes was conducted in Florida through cooperation with growers and state agencies. This was done to monitor the distribution of both the B and Q biotypes. The biotype status of submitted Bemisia tabaci samples was determined using a mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I subunit (mtCOI) gene sequence, unique microsatellite markers and esterase zymogram analysis. 186 collections were sampled from 23 counties. Of these samples, 54 percent were from vegetables and 46% were from ornamentals. 16 percent of all collections were found to be the Q biotype and they represented six counties, all of which were on ornamentals and herbs in greenhouses. Sequence comparison of the mtCOI gene identified three separate haplotypes within Florida that were defined as X, Y and Z. Haplotypes could be used to associate populations known to be related by grower and plant type. For example, collections from five counties were made on hibiscus linked to the same grower and all samples contained only the X haplotype. Other populations contained a mix of either the Y and Z haplotypes or the Y and X haplotypes, supporting the conclusion that the Q biotype must have entered Florida through at least two separate introductions. Our data also show that two microsatellite markers are a cost effective diagnostic alternatives for biotype ID with 100 percent concurrence with mtCOI sequence data.