Genetic diversity of whitefly species of the Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) species complex, associated with vegetable crops in Côte d'Ivoire

PLoS One. 2022 Oct 31;17(10):e0276993. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276993. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Since several years, whiteflies of the species complex of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) are causing several damages on vegetable crops in Côte d'Ivoire. These sap-sucking insects are the main vector of many viruses on tomato and several species of this complex have developed resistances against insecticides. Nevertheless, there is very little information about whitefly species on vegetable crops in Côte d'Ivoire. Here, we investigated the species diversity and their genetic diversity and structuring on samples from vegetable crops in the major tomato production areas of Côte d'Ivoire. To assess this diversity, 535 whitefly samples from different localities and plant species were collected and analysed with nuclear (microsatellite) and mitochondrial (mtCOI) markers. In each site, and ecological data were recorded, including whiteflies abundance and plant species colonised by B. tabaci. The analysis of mtCOI sequences of whiteflies indicated the presence of four cryptic species on tomato and associated crops in Côte d'Ivoire. These were MED ASL, MED Q1, SSA 1 and SSA3. The MED ASL species dominated over all samples in the different regions and plant species. One haplotype of MED ASL out of the 15 identified predominated on most plant species and most sites. These results suggested that MED ASL is probably the main phytovirus vector in the Ivorian vegetable cropping areas. In contrast, only five haplotypes of MED Q1 were identified on vegetables but in the cotton-growing areas of the country. Its low prevalence, low nuclear and mitochondrial diversity might indicate a recent invasion of this species on vegetable crops in Côte d'Ivoire. The Bayesian nuclear analysis indicated the presence of hybrid genotypes between the two main species MED ASL and MED Q1, however in low prevalence (10%). All these results highlight the need to maintain whitefly populations monitoring for a more effective management in Côte d'Ivoire.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bayes Theorem
  • Cote d'Ivoire
  • Crops, Agricultural
  • Genetic Variation
  • Hemiptera* / genetics
  • Solanum lycopersicum* / genetics
  • Vegetables

Grants and funding

The role(s) played are indicated below: HD, CS were funded by the European Union (ERDF, contract GURDT I2016-1731-0006632), the Conseil Régional de la Réunion and CIRAD. AJN was funded by a PhD fellowship from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the C2D fund ‘Contrat de Désendettement et de Développement, Volet N°2 de recherche du projet AMRUGE-CI 2 (Appui à la Modernisation et à la Réforme des Universités et Grandes Ecoles de Côte d’Ivoire)’ through the project entitled ‘Adaptation et Développement de la culture protégée dans les conditions climatiques de la Côte d’Ivoire (HortiNet-CI)’. LF, TM were funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the C2D fund ‘Contrat de Désendettement et de Développement, Volet N°2 de recherche du projet AMRUGE-CI 2 (Appui à la Modernisation et à la Réforme des Universités et Grandes Ecoles de Côte d’Ivoire)’ through the project entitled ‘Adaptation et Développement de la culture protégée dans les conditions climatiques de la Côte d’Ivoire (HortiNet-CI)’. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.