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Updated: May 24, 2026
Determining the Egg Fertilization Rate of Bemisia tabaci Using a Cytogenetic Technique
Published on: April 1, 2019
Factors affecting population dynamics of maternally transmitted endosymbionts in Bemisia tabaci
Huipeng Pan1, Xianchun Li, Daqing Ge
1Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
While every individual of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) harbors the primary symbiont (P-symbiont) Portiera, the infection frequencies of the six secondary symbionts (S-symbionts) including Hamiltonella, Arsenophonus, Cardinium, Wolbachia, Rickettsia and Fritschea vary greatly among different populations. To characterize the factors influencing the infection dynamics of the six S-symbionts in B. tabaci, gene-specific PCR were conducted to screen for the presence of the P-symbiont Portiera and the six S-symbionts in 61 (17 B and 44 Q biotypes) field populations collected from different plant species and locations in China. All individuals of the 61 populations hosted the P-symbiont Portiera, but none of them harbored Arsenophonus and Fritschea. The presence and infection rates of Hamiltonella, Cardinium, Rickettsia, Wolbachia and their co-infections Rickettsia + Hamiltonella (RH), Rickettsia + Cardinium (RC), Hamiltonella + Cardinium (HC) and Rickettsia + Hamiltonella + Cardinium (RHC) varied significantly among the 61 field populations; and the observed variations can be explained by biotypes, sexes, host plants and geographical locations of these field populations. Taken together, at least three factors including biotype, host plant and geographical location affect the infection dynamics of S-symbionts in B. tabaci.
Insights
Bemisia tabaci (whiteflies) host primary symbionts, but secondary symbiont infections vary. Biotype, host plant, and location significantly influence these symbiont dynamics in Chinese whitefly populations.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Microbial Ecology
- Genetics
Background:
- Bemisia tabaci (whiteflies) harbor essential primary symbionts (Portiera).
- Secondary symbiont (S-symbiont) infection frequencies vary widely across B. tabaci populations.
- Six S-symbionts (Hamiltonella, Arsenophonus, Cardinium, Wolbachia, Rickettsia, Fritschea) are known in whiteflies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors influencing S-symbiont infection dynamics in B. tabaci.
- To screen for the presence and co-infections of S-symbionts in field populations.
- To determine the impact of biotype, host plant, and location on S-symbiont prevalence.
Main Methods:
- Gene-specific PCR was used to detect Portiera and six S-symbionts.
- Sixty-one field populations of B. tabaci (17 B and 44 Q biotypes) were analyzed.
- Symbiont presence, infection rates, and co-infections were screened in different populations.
Main Results:
- All 61 populations harbored the primary symbiont Portiera.
- Arsenophonus and Fritschea were not detected in any of the sampled populations.
- Hamiltonella, Cardinium, Rickettsia, Wolbachia, and their co-infections showed significant variation in infection rates.
- Symbiont infection dynamics were influenced by B. tabaci biotype, host plant, and geographical location.
Conclusions:
- Biotype, host plant, and geographical location are key factors driving S-symbiont infection dynamics in B. tabaci.
- The prevalence of specific S-symbionts and their co-infections is not uniform across populations.
- Understanding these dynamics is crucial for managing whitefly populations and their associated microbial communities.
