Sweet Potato Whitefly

Taxobox
name = Sweet Potato Whitefly
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
infraclassis = Neoptera
superordo = Exopterygota
ordo = Hemiptera
subordo = Sternorrhyncha
superfamilia = Aleyrodoidea
familia = Aleyrodidae
genus = "Bemisia"
species = "B. tabaci"
binomial = "Bemisia tabaci"
binomial_authority = (Gennadius, 1889)
synonyms ="Aleyrodes inconspicua" Quaintance
"Aleyrodes tabaci" Gennadius, 1889
"Bemisia achyranthes" Singh
"Bemisia bahiana" Bondar
"Bemisia costa-limai" Bondar
"Bemisia emiliae" Corbett
"Bemisia goldingi" Corbett
"Bemisia gossypiperda" Misra & Lamba
"Bemisia gossypiperda" var. "mosaicivectura" Ghesquiere
"Bemisia hibisci" Takahashi
"Bemisia inconspicua" Quaintance
"Bemisia longispina" Priesner & Hosny
"Bemisia lonicerae" Takahashi
"Bemisia manihotis" Frappa
"Bemisia minima" Danzig
"Bemisia miniscula" Danzig
"Bemisia nigeriensis" Corbett
"Bemisia rhodesiaensis" Corbett
"Bemisia signata" Bodnar
"Bemisia vayssierei" Frappa"Bemisia (Neobemisia) hibisci" Visnya
"Bemisia (Neobemisia) rhodesiaensis" Visnya

The Sweet Potato Whitefly ("Bemisia tabaci") is an insect found around the world and probably native to India.

Common names

*cotton whitefly (English),
*"mosca blanca" (Dominican Republic),
*sweet potato whitefly (English),
*sweetpotato whitefly (English),
*"Tabakmottenschildlaus" (German)

Distribution

The European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization ("EPPO") (2004) reports that "B. tabaci" may have originated in India, but the evidence is not conclusive.

The insects are self-propelled over locval distances. Bernays (1999) states that, "Winged adults fly about, however, and move between crops. [Byrne "et al." 1996)]

"B. tabaci" has been reported from all continents except Antarctica [Ko "et al." 2002] The Pacific Islands Pest List Database shows the distribution of the whitefly in the Pacific region. It has been reported in the Cook Islands, Fiji Islands; Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, French Polynesia, The Federated States of Micronesia, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Niue and Kiribati.

Over 900 host plants have been recorded for "B. tabaci" and it reportedly transmits 111 virus species. It is believed that "B. tabaci" has been spread throughout the world through the transport of plant products that were infested with whiteflies. Once established, "B. tabaci" quickly spreads and through its feeding habits and the transmission of the diseases it carries causes destruction to crops around the world. "B. tabaci" is believed to be a species complex, with a number of recognized biotypes and two described extant cryptic species.

Description

Eggs, deposited on the underside of leaves, (Note: circular egg deposition for "Bemisia" is rare) are tiny, oval-shaped, about 0.25 mm (0.01 inches) in diameter, and stand vertically on the leaf surface. Newly laid eggs are white then turn brownish. Upon hatching the first instar nymph (0.3mm in length), commonly called the “crawler”, moves about the leaf in search for a place to insert its needle-like mouthparts into the plant to suck up plant phloem. When the crawler finds this site, it molts to the second instar, its legs are pulled up under its body and the rest of the immature stage is sessile. There are three additional nymphal instars (0.4-0.8mm or 0.016-0.032 inches) with the successive stage molting to a slightly larger form. The last nymphal instar develops red eye spots, and is commonly called the “red-eyed nymph.” This stage often is incorrectly called the pupal stage; incorrect because insects in this order (Hemiptera) have incomplete metamorphosis, thus there is no pupa. Throughout the nymphal stages, the body of the whitefly is opaque white in color, and is covered by a waxy exoskeleton. As nymphs feed, they excreted large quantities of liquid waste in the form of honeydew. Honeydew is rich in plant carbohydrates and as whiteflies feed and excrete this waste is distributed on plant leaves/flowers/ and fruit and supports the growth of sooty mold fungus, causing the plant to turn black. Adult whiteflies are about 1mm (0.04 inches) long with two pairs of white wings and light yellow bodies. Their bodies are covered with waxy powdery materials. While whitefly adults can be seen on all plant surfaces, they spend most of their time feeding, mating, and ovipositing on the under surfaces of leaves. Males and females are present, typically in even ratios and mating takes place after an elaborate courtship period. Whiteflies have an interesting biology (called arrhenotoky) in which females can lay eggs that have not been fertilized and these eggs will result in male offspring. Fertilized eggs will result in female offspring. Each female can produce as many as 200 eggs in her lifetime.. It takes 30 - 40 days to develop from egg to adult depending on the temperature (OISAT, 2004). The EPPO (2004) states that,

"Infested plants may exhibit a range of symptoms due to direct feeding damage, contamination with honeydew and associated sooty moulds, whitefly-transmitted viruses, and phytotoxic responses. There may be one or a combination of the following symptoms: chlorotic spotting, vein yellowing, intervein yellowing, leaf yellowing, yellow blotching of leaves, yellow mosaic of leaves, leaf curling, leaf crumpling, leaf vein thickening, leaf enations, leaf cupping, stem twisting, plant stunting, wilting and leaf loss. Phytotoxic responses such as a severe silvering of courgette and melon leaves usually indicate the presence of a "B. argentifolii" infestation."

imilar species

"Trialeurodes vaporariorum"

Habitat description

The sweet potato whitefly occurs in both urban and agricultural areas.

The EPPO (2004) states that,

"B. tabaci" are usually detected by close examination of the undersides of leaves, which will reveal adults and/or nymphs. Shaking the plant may disturb the small white adults, which flutter out and quickly resettle. Adults may also be found on sticky traps placed above infested plants."

General impacts

Six hundred host plants have been cited. [Oliveira "et al." (2001)] "B. tabaci" possibly originated in India [Fishpool & Burban, 1994] and as a result of widespread dispersal, particularly during the last 15 years, is now distributed nearly worldwide. "B. tabaci" is also a vector of over 100 plant viruses in the general Begomovirus (Geminiviridae), Crinivirus (Closteroviridae) and Carlavirus or Ipomovirus (Potyviridae). [Jones, 2003]

Damage is caused not only by direct feeding, but also through transmission of viruses. Begomoviruses are the most numerous of the B. tabaci transmitted viruses and can cause crop yield losses of between 20% and 100%. [Brown & Bird, 1992] The EPPO (2004) states that,

"Since the early 1980s, "B. tabaci" has caused escalating problems to both field and protected agricultural crops and ornamental plants. Heavy infestations of "B. tabaci" and "B. argentifolii" may reduce host vigour and growth, cause chlorosis and uneven ripening, and induce physiological disorders. The larvae produce honeydew on which sooty moulds grow, reducing the photosynthetic capabilities of the plant, resulting in defoliation and stunting. "B. tabaci" is known to be a potentially damaging pest of crops such as cotton, brassicas, cucurbits, okra, solanums in the tropics and subtropics". [Goolsby "et al." 2004]

Ellsworth and Martinez-Carrillo (2001) state that,

"B. tabaci’s" small size belies its ability to move relatively large distances locally, placing many hosts within communities at risk of infestation. This ability to disperse is made worse by its extensive movement through commerce of plant products around the globe. The small size and rapid reproductive potential are other characteristics that result in explosive population growth. The damage potential of this pest as a direct plant stressor, virus vector, and quality reducer (e.g., by contamination with excreta) is substantial. These attributes, among others, render this species a shared pest within agricultural communities."

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs) are transmitted by the whitefly [Colvin "et al." 2004] destroying cassava crops. Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is one of the most widely grown staple food crops in sub-Saharan Africa. It is particularly important to the poorest farmers because of its role in food security and as a source of income. Agriculture in tropical and subtropical regions are most threatened, with crops such as beans, cucurbits, peppers, cassavas and tomatoes particularly being affected. [Brown, 1994] Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) limits tomato production in several geographic regions, including the Middle East and Far East. [Zeidan "et al." 1998]

Uses

Considerable research has been done on the taxonomy of "B. tabaci", and Perring (2001) proposed seven distinct groups within the complex. "B. tabaci" is believed to be a species complex, with a number of recognized biotypes and two described extant cryptic species. Nineteen biotypes have been identified based on non-specific esterase banding patterns (biotypes A-T), and the two described species are "B. tabaci" and "Bemisia argentifolii" Bellows and Perring. [Bellows "et al." 1994] "B. argentifolii" carries the common name of silverleaf whitefly.

Invasion pathways to new locations

The United Kingdom Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2001) states that,

"Ornamental plants are the main source of introduction of B. tabaci to the UK. B. tabaci was first intercepted in the UK in 1987 on poinsettia cuttings and since then outbreaks have occurred annually, again mainly on poinsettia. It has also been intercepted on a wide range of other plant material including bedding plants such as Lantana and Verbena on finished pot plants such as Ficus species, ornamental citrus, and also on herb cuttings."

Management information

The Whitefly IPM Project provides a paradigm for future work on cassava mosaic begemoviruses and whiteflies on cassava in both Africa and elsewhere. Ellsworth and Martinez-Carrillo (2001) offer an extensive integrated management approach. The report details the exact plans and steps that are necessary to adopt and follow through with the integrated pest management guidelines suggested. A summary of the guidelines sketches out the steps to be taken.

For details on preventative measures, chemical, physical, cultural and biological control options, please see management information.

Reproduction

Lifecycle stages

McAuslane (2000) outlines the life cycle of B. tabaci stating that,

"B. tabaci" eggs are oval in shape and somewhat tapered towards the distal end. The egg is pearly white when first laid but darkens over time. At 25 ºC, the eggs will hatch in six to seven days. The first nymphal instar is capable of limited movement and is called the crawler. The dorsal surface of the crawler is convex while the ventral surface, appressed to the leaf surface, is flat. The crawlers usually move only a few centimeters in search of a feeding site but can move to another leaf on the same plant. After they have begun feeding, they will molt to the second nymphal instar, usually two to three days after eclosion from the egg. The second, third and fourth nymphal instars are immobile with atrophied legs and antennae, and small eyes. The nymphs secrete a waxy material at the margins of their body that helps adhere them to the leaf surface. The second and third nymphal instars each last about two to three days. The red-eyed nymphal stage is sometimes called the 'pupal stage'. There is no molt between the fourth nymphal instar and the red-eyed nymphal stage but there are morphological differences. The fourth and red-eyed nymphal stages combined lasts for five to six days. The stage gets its name from the prominent red eyes that are much larger than the eyes of earlier nymphal instars." Adult females insert their eggs into the foliage of host plants and the newly-hatched nymphs settle for larval life with little movement on the plant chosen by the parent. Winged adults fly about, however, and move between crops ( Byrne "et al.". 1996). Individual females often feed on a variety of different plants, including crops and weeds within crops ( Byrne "et al." 1990). The species of plants fed upon differ in quality, and while some plant species are best for survival, others are better for egg production ( Costa "et al." 1991). Adults live for a week or more ( Byrne & Bellows 1991) and much of the egg production depends on the food ingested during adulthood."

This species has been nominated as among 100 of the "World's Worst" invaders.

Notes

References

Public Domain Information From:
*The IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) (http://www.issg.org), Global Invesive Species Database: http://www.issg.org/database/welcome/,
*Related Disclaimer: http://www.issg.org/database/welcome/disclaimer.asp

External Links

* [http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/veg/leaf/silverleaf_whitefly.htm sweetpotato whitefly B biotype] on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site
* [http://whiteflies.ifas.ufl.edu/wfly0002.htm? USDA Whitefly Knowledgebase]