The first record of a cryptic Bemisia tabaci MED species in Guangdong
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Key Words：Bemisia tabaci Q biotype, Guangdong, first record, biological invasion
Abstract：The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is a globally distributed, phloemfeeding insect that transmits more than 110 plant viruses. Since its first record in China on Poinsettia in Kunming in 2003, the B. tabaci Q biotype (belonging to a Mediterranean cryptic species) has been found to have spread to more than 10 provinces, gradually replacing the B biotype (MEAM1 cryptic species). However, the B. tabaci Q biotype had not been reported in Guangdong, a Province with a large volume of internal and international trade. However, a population of the Q biotype was recently identified from specimens collected from a hibiscus plant in Changban Park, Guangzhou City. PCR and DNA sequencing using B/Q biotype primers revealed that this population is 12 base pairs different from known Q biotype populations in Yunnan, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Neighbourjoining phylogenetic tree analysis indicates that this Guangzhou Q biotype is closer to the Q biotype populations in Yunnan and Jiangsu provinces, and that it is probably of western Mediterranean, Greece, Spain, Morocco etc. The B. tabaci Q biotype is considered to have higher resistance to chemicals and a greater ability to transmit plant viruses. The first record of this pest in Guangzhou could indicate that this pest is already well established in this Province. Further investigation is required to monitor its spread, host plants and damage.