Phylogenetic relationships of world populations of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) using ribosomal ITS1

A phylogeny of Bemisia tabaci is presented based on the ITS1 region of ribosomal DNA. The monophyly of each biotype of Bemisia is supported, and a strong biogeographic pattern is evident in the data. Populations from the Americas (including the A biotype) form a clade sister to a clade comprising the silverleafing or B biotype and a nonsilverleafing biotype from the North Africa/Mediterranean region. Polymorphisms in rDNA suggest that silverleafing is a recent phenomenon, while the nonsilverleafing form is the ancestral or plesiomorphic state. Based on this phylogeny, if B. argentifolii is accepted as a separate species then one would have to review the taxonomic status of all biotypes of B. tabaci. In particular, a new name clearly would be needed for an Egypt/Spain/Sudan/Nigeria clade, and the monophyly of the haplotypes remaining in B. tabaci would be open to serious doubt. To make new species assignments in these circumstances seems premature. The phylogenetic relationships of the different populations of B. tabaci and the origins of effective natural enemies of the B biotype suggest that knowing the origin of the B biotype is not essential to finding effective agents and supports the notion that crop management is the key aspect to control.