Search

Neonicotinoid insecticides, which target insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), have been widely and intensively used to control the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, a highly damaging, globally distributed, crop pest. This has inevitably led to the emergence of populations with resistance to neonicotinoids. However, to date, there have been no reports of target-site resistance involving mutation of B. tabaci nAChR genes. Here we characterize the nAChR subunit gene family of B. tabaci and identify dual mutations (A58T&R79E) in one of these genes (BTβ1) that confer resistance to multiple neonicotinoids. Transgenic D. melanogaster, where the native nAChR Dβ1 was replaced with BTβ1A58T&R79E, were significantly more resistant to neonicotinoids than flies where Dβ1 were replaced with the wildtype BTβ1 sequence, demonstrating the causal role of the mutations in resistance. The two mutations identified in this study replace two amino acids that are highly conserved in >200 insect species. Three-dimensional modelling suggests a molecular mechanism for this resistance, whereby A58T forms a hydrogen bond with the R79E side chain, which positions its negatively-charged carboxylate group to electrostatically repulse a neonicotinoid at the orthosteric site. Together these findings describe the first case of target-site resistance to neonicotinoids in B. tabaci and provide insight into the molecular determinants of neonicotinoid binding and selectivity.

IntroductionBacterial symbionts are prevalent in arthropods globally and play a vital role in the fitness and resistance of hosts. While several symbiont infections have been identified in the white-backed planthopper Sogatella furcifera, the impact of environmental factors on the microbiota within S. furcifera remains elusive.MethodsIn this study, a total of 142 S. furcifera individuals from 18 populations were collected from 14 locations across six countries (China, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos) analyzed with 2bRAD-M sequencing, to examine the effects of symbionts on the microbiota in the S. furcifera population, as well as the vital effects of environmental factors on the bacterial communities.Results and discussionBased on the results, in S. furcifera, the presence of symbionts Wolbachia and Cardinium negatively influenced the abundance of other bacteria, including Enterobacter, Acinetobacter, and Lysinibacillus, while Wolbachia infection significantly decreased the diversity of the microbial community. Moreover, several environmental factors, including longitude, latitude, temperature, and precipitation, affected the abundance of symbionts and microbiota diversity in S. furcifera. These results collectively highlight the vital role of Wolbachia in S. furcifera microbiota, as well as the intricate effects of environmental factors on the bacterial communities of S. furcifera.

ABSTRACTAs the most commonly used driven data for gross primary productivity (GPP) estimation, satellite remote sensing vegetation indexes (VI), such as the leaf area index (LAI), often seriously suffer from data quality problems induced by cloud contamination and noise. Although various filtering methods are applied to reconstruct the missing data and eliminate noises in the VI time series, the impacts of these data quality problems on GPP estimation are still not clear. In this study, the accuracy differences of the GPP estimations driven by different VI series are comprehensively analyzed based on two light use efficiency (LUE) models (the big-leaf MOD17 and the two-leaf RTL-LUE). Four VI filtering methods are applied for comparison, and GPP data across 169 eddy covariance (EC) sites are used for validation. The results demonstrate that all the filtering methods can improve the GPP simulation accuracy, and the SeasonL1 filtering method exhibits the best performance both for the MOD17 model (∆R2 = 0.06) and the RTL-LUE model (∆R2 = 0.07). The reconstruction of the key change points in the temporally continuous gaps may be the primary reason for the different performance of the four methods. Moreover, the effects of filtering processes on GPP estimation vary with latitudes and seasons due to the differences in the primary data quality. More significant improvements can be observed during the growing season and in the regions near the equator, where the data quality is relatively poor with lower primary GPP estimation accuracy. This study can guide the preprocessing of the VI data before GPP estimation.

ABSTRACTThe continued evolution and emergence of novel influenza viruses in wild and domestic animals poses an increasing public health risk. Two human cases of H3N8 avian influenza virus infection in China in 2022 have caused public concern regarding the risk of transmission between birds and humans. However, the prevalence of H3N8 avian influenza viruses in their natural reservoirs and their biological characteristics are largely unknown. To elucidate the potential threat of H3N8 viruses, we analyzed five years of surveillance data obtained from an important wetland region in eastern China and evaluated the evolutionary and biological characteristics of 21 H3N8 viruses isolated from 15,899 migratory bird samples between 2017 and 2021. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses showed that the H3N8 viruses circulating in migratory birds and ducks have evolved into different branches and have undergone complicated reassortment with viruses in waterfowl. The 21 viruses belonged to 12 genotypes, and some strains induced body weight loss and pneumonia in mice. All the tested H3N8 viruses preferentially bind to avian-type receptors, although they have acquired the ability to bind human-type receptors. Infection studies in ducks, chickens and pigeons demonstrated that the currently circulating H3N8 viruses in migratory birds have a high possibility of infecting domestic waterfowl and a low possibility of infecting chickens and pigeons. Our findings imply that circulating H3N8 viruses in migratory birds continue to evolve and pose a high infection risk in domestic ducks. These results further emphasize the importance of avian influenza surveillance at the wild bird and poultry interface.

Two novel reassortant highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b.2 were identified in dead migratory birds in China in November 2021. The viruses probably evolved among wild birds through different flyways connecting Europe and Asia. Their low antigenic reaction to vaccine antiserum indicates high risks to poultry and to public health.

Abstract Potato cyst nematodes (PCNs), golden (yellow) cyst nematode (Globodera rostochiensis, gPCN) and pale (white) cyst nematode (G. pallida, pPCN), are important invasive pests in many countries and regions where they can cause significant yield and economic loss for agriculture. Prediction and identification of habitats suitable for PCNs are critical for developing biosecurity strategies, both pre and post border, to maximise the potential for early elimination should an incursion occur. To date, the potential global distribution of PCNs has not been thoroughly studied. Therefore, this study conducted a species distribution model to illustrate the potential global distribution of PCNs and risk regions. In this study, the Maximum Entropy Model (Maxent) associated with the Geographic Information System (GIS) was employed to reveal the potential distribution of the gPCN and pPCN. In addition to bioclimate, soil quality was also included in the model. The global cultivated lands, whether the susceptible hosts were present or not, were used to assess the maximum potential risk regions. The limitation factors for PCNs distribution were also assessed. Results showed that 66% of the global land surface was suitable for gPCN or pPCN or both, and both species can colonise more than 75% of the global cultivated lands. The coldest quarter’s mean temperature and precipitation were critical limitations in unsuitable regions. In summary, the global risk maps of PCNs contribute valuable additional information that complements previous national/regional distribution predictions. The results of this distribution research will contribute practical support for decision-makers and practitioners to implement biosecurity strategies from a global perspective, that incorporate prevention or promptly enforce control practices to limit the damage caused by future incursions.

Highly pathogenic influenza A(H5N8) viruses have caused several worldwide outbreaks in birds and are able cross the species barrier to infect humans, posing a substantial threat to public health. After the first detection of H5N8 viruses in deceased swans in Inner Mongolia, we performed early warning and active monitoring along swan migration routes in central China. We isolated and sequenced 42 avian influenza viruses, including 40 H5N8 viruses, 1 H5N2 virus, and 1 H9N2 virus, in central China. Our H5N8 viruses isolated in swan stopover sites and wintering grounds showed high nucleotide homologies in the whole genome, revealing a common evolutionary source. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the H5 viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b prevalent in 2020 have further diverged into two sub-clades: b1 and b2. The phylogeographic analysis also showed that the viruses of sub-clade b2 most likely originated from poultry in Russia. Notably, whooper swans were found to be responsible for the introduction of sub-clade b2 viruses in central China; whooper and tundra swans play a role in viral spread in the Yellow River Basin and the Yangtze River Basin, respectively. Our findings highlight swans as an indicator species for transborder spreading and monitoring of the H5N8 virus.

In order to clarify the migration route and the source of white-backed planthopper (WBPH) (Sogatella furcifera) between Myanmar and Yunnan Province, China, we collected six populations throughout Myanmar and five populations around the border areas in Yunnan Province, China. A total of 790 base pairs in the mtDNA COI genes from 416 individuals were obtained. A total of 43 haplotypes were identified, among which 37 were unique haplotypes, and the remaining 6 were shared among different populations. Two common shared haplotypes (H_1 and H_2) had a widespread distribution in all populations and accounted for 88.8% of the total haplotype frequency, suggesting a high-level gene flow among the Myanmar and Yunnan populations. Bayesian skyline plot (BSP) analysis results indicated that the effective population size of WBPH expanded between about 10,000 and 7000 years ago, and S. furcifera might follow the post-LGM (Last Glacial Maximum) expansion pattern. Based on the total migrant (Nem) value, it can be deduced that north and northeast Myanmar were the primary migration sources for WBPH populations in the southwest and south Yunnan regions. This study aims to contribute to the sustainable regional management of this important rice pest and provide new insights into the genetic diversity of WBPH in Southeast Asia.

During October 2020, we identified 13 highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses from wild ducks in Ningxia, China. These viruses were genetically related to H5N8 viruses circulating mainly in poultry in Europe during early 2020. We also determined movements of H5N8 virus‒infected wild ducks and evidence for spreading of viruses.

ABSTRACT H16 avian influenza viruses mainly circulate in wild migratory gulls worldwide, and the infection risks in poultry and mammals remain largely unknown. In this study, we isolated a novel H16N3 virus from migratory gulls in eastern China in 2021. Genetic analysis indicated that the H16N3 virus originated from the H16 and H13 viruses that circulated in wild birds. This H16N3 virus has not adapted to replicate in chickens, ducks, or mice, although it can be transmitted between inoculated and contacted birds. The circulation of H16Nx viruses in the Northern Hemisphere indicates that we should strengthen active surveillance to monitor their prevalence and evolution in migratory gulls and their introduction into other migratory and domestic waterfowl. IMPORTANCE Migratory wild birds are natural reservoirs of H16 viruses and play a key role in the global prevalence of these viruses. Here, we found that H16 viruses predominantly circulate in migratory gulls and that the gull H16N3 virus cannot replicate efficiently in chickens, ducks, or mice without prior adaptation. These findings contribute to our understanding of the ecology, evolution, and biological properties of H16 viruses and will guide avian influenza surveillance in birds.

Long-term normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data are extensively applied in environmental and ecological researches. However, cloud-induced interference and contamination seriously affects the quality of the current NDVI products, bringing huge uncertainty for subsequent applications. Although plenty of temporal methods have been developed to reconstruct NDVI time series, they still struggle to solve the challenge of temporally continuous gaps, due to the insufficient utilization of the prior characteristics in the time series. This paper develops a variational-based method to reconstruct multi-year NDVI time series by jointly regularizing local smoothness and inter-annual Seasonal similarity using the L1-norm (termed the SeasonL1 method). The proposed method innovatively introduces the information from adjacent years combined with assistance from temporal neighbors, and the L1-norm is imposed to establish the two corresponding regularization terms, to better characterize their statistical distributions. Simulated and real-data experiments were conducted in the Yangtze River Economic Belt of China using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) NDVI data, to validate the performance of the SeasonL1 method by comparing with five classic methods. The results demonstrate that the proposed SeasonL1 method can achieve a satisfactory performance with an acceptable time cost in terms of both the quantitative indicators and spatio-temporal visual effect. In particular, the SeasonL1 method shown obvious advantages in recovering temporally continuous missing values and preventing over-smoothing in the inflection points of vegetation growth. We expect that the SeasonL1 method will become a useful filtering approach for obtaining high-quality NDVI time-series data in large-scale applications.

The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci MED (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is an omnivorous agricultural pest, which causes huge economic losses to agriculture and is highly resistant to many pesticides. The overexpression of cytochrome P450 may play an important role in host adaptation and insecticide resistance in B. tabaci MED. Therefore, the present study systematically analyzed the cytochrome P450 gene family at the genome-wide level to understand its function in B. tabaci MED. Our analysis identified 58 cytochrome P450 genes in B. tabaci MED, among which 24 were novel. Phylogenetic analysis revealed broad functional and species-specific diversification in B. tabaci MED P450, suggesting the role of multiple P450 genes in detoxifying. Reverse transcription-real time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) showed that CYP4CS2, CYP4CS5, CYP4CS6, CYP4CS8, CYP6DW4, CYP6DW5, CYP6DW6, CYP6DZ8, and CYP6EN1 genes increased significantly after two days of exposure to imidacloprid. Interestingly, all nine genes belonged to the CYP4 and CYP6 families. A decrease in the expression of five genes (CYP6DW4, CYP6DW5, CYP6DW6, CYP6DZ8, and CYP4CS6) via RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in a significant increase in the mortalities of whiteflies when exposed to imidacloprid. These results indicate that the overexpression of the P450 genes may play an essential role in imidacloprid tolerance of B. tabaci MED. Thus, the present study provides basic information on P450 genes in B. tabaci MED, which will further help elucidate the insecticide resistance mechanism in the agricultural pest whitefly.

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci species complex, comprises at least 44 morphologically indistinguishable cryptic species, whose endosymbiont infection patterns often varied at the spatial and temporal dimension. However, the effects of ecological factors (e.g., climatic or geographical factors) on the distribution of whitefly and the infection frequencies of their endosymbionts have not been fully elucidated. We, here, analyzed the associations between ecological factors and the distribution of whitefly and their three facultative endosymbionts (Candidatus Cardinium hertigii, Candidatus Hamiltonella defensa, and Rickettsia sp.) by screening 665 individuals collected from 29 geographical localities across China. The study identified eight B. tabaci species via mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) gene sequence alignment: two invasive species, MED (66.9%) and MEAM1 (12.2%), and six native cryptic species (20.9%), which differed in distribution patterns, ecological niches, and high suitability areas. The infection frequencies of the three endosymbionts in different cryptic species were distinct and multiple infections were relatively common in B. tabaci MED populations. Furthermore, the annual mean temperature positively affected Cardinium sp. and Rickettsia sp. infection frequencies in B. tabaci MED but negatively affected the quantitative distribution of B. tabaci MED, which indicates that Cardinium sp. and Rickettsia sp. maybe play a crucial role in the thermotolerance of B. tabaci MED, although the host whitefly per se exhibits no resistance to high temperature. Our findings revealed the complex effects of ecological factors on the expansion of the invasive whitefly.

ABSTRACT H10Nx influenza viruses have caused increasing public concern due to their occasional infection of humans. However, the genesis and biological characteristics of H10 viruses in migratory wild birds are largely unknown. In this study, we conducted active surveillance to monitor circulation of avian influenza viruses in eastern China and isolated five H10N4 and two H10N8 viruses from migratory birds in 2020. Genetic analysis indicated that the hemagglutinin (HA) genes of the seven H10 viruses were clustered into the North American lineage and established as a novel Eurasian branch in wild birds in South Korea, Bangladesh, and China. The neuraminidase (NA) genes of the H10N4 and H10N8 viruses originated from the circulating HxN4 and H5N8 viruses in migratory birds in Eurasia. We further revealed that some of the novel H10N4 and H10N8 viruses acquired the ability to bind human-like receptors. Animal studies indicated that these H10 viruses can replicate in mice, chickens, and ducks. Importantly, we found that the H10N4 and H10N8 viruses can transmit efficiently among chickens and ducks but induce lower HA inhibition (HI) antibody titers in ducks. These findings emphasized that annual surveillance in migratory waterfowl should be strengthened to monitor the introduction of wild-bird H10N4 and H10N8 reassortants into poultry. IMPORTANCE The emerging avian influenza reassortants and mutants in birds pose an increasing threat to poultry and public health. H10 avian influenza viruses are widely prevalent in wild birds, poultry, seals, and minks and pose an increasing threat to human health. The occasional human infections with H10N8 and H10N3 viruses in China have significantly increased public concern about the potential pandemic risk posed by H10 viruses. In this study, we found that the North American H10 viruses have been successfully introduced to Asia by migratory birds and further reassorted with other subtypes to generate novel H10N4 and H10N8 viruses in eastern China. These emerging H10 reassortants have a high potential to threaten the poultry industry and human health due to their efficient replication and transmission in chickens, ducks, and mice.

In October 2020, highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) viruses were detected in 2 dead swans in Inner Mongolia, China. Genetic analysis showed that the H5N8 isolates belong to clade 2.3.4.4b and that the isolates cluster with the H5N8 viruses isolated in Eurasia in the fall of 2020.

Abstract Background The white-backed planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) (Hemiptera, Delphacidae), is a migratory pest of rice in Asia. Shandong Province, in northern China, is located on the migration pathway of WBPH between southern and northeast China. The potential sources of WBPH in northern China are poorly understood. We studied the sources of WBPH in Shandong Province by determining the population genetic structure of WBPH in 18 sites distributed in Shandong and in six regions of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). We used mitochondrial gene and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for analysis. Results All of the WBPH populations studied in the seven regions had low genetic diversity. Pairwise FST values based on mtDNA ranged from − 0.061 to 0.285, while FST based on SNP data ranged from − 0.007 to 0.009. These two molecular markers revealed that 4.40% (mtDNA) and 0.19% (SNP) genetic variation could be explained by the interpopulation variation, while the rest came from intrapopulation variation. The populations in the seven geographic regions comprised four hypothetical genetic clusters (K = 4) not associated with geographic location. Eighty-four of 129 individuals distributed across the given area were designated as recent migrants or of admixed ancestry. Although the substantial migration presented, a weak but significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances was found (r = 0.083, P = 0.004). Conclusion The Greater Mekong Subregion was the main genetic source of WBPH in Shandong, while other source populations may also exist. The genetic structure of WBPH is shaped by both migration and geographic barriers. These results help clarify the migration route and the source of WBPH in northern China.

In this study, the authors present a genomic surveillance of avian influenza genomes sampled from live poultry markets in China. They report that a number of variants have emerged since 2016 that pose an increased risk to humans. They highlight the importance of continuous genome surveillance of circulating influenza strains.

Background and PurposeAbout 20.1% of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) carriers are multiple intracranial aneurysms (MIAs) patients with higher rupture risk and worse prognosis. A prediction model may bring some potential benefits. This study attempted to develop and externally validate a dynamic nomogram to assess the rupture risk of each IA among patients with MIA.MethodWe retrospectively analyzed the data of 262 patients with 611 IAs admitted to the Hunan Provincial People's Hospital between November 2015 and November 2021. Multivariable logistic regression (MLR) was applied to select the risk factors and derive a nomogram model for the assessment of IA rupture risk in MIA patients. To externally validate the nomogram, data of 35 patients with 78 IAs were collected from another independent center between December 2009 and May 2021. The performance of the nomogram was assessed in terms of discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility.ResultSize, location, irregular shape, diabetes history, and neck width were independently associated with IA rupture. The nomogram showed a good discriminative ability for ruptured and unruptured IAs in the derivation cohort (AUC = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.774–0.847) and was successfully generalized in the external validation cohort (AUC = 0.744; 95% CI, 0.627–0.862). The nomogram was calibrated well, and the decision curve analysis showed that it would generate more net benefit in identifying IA rupture than the “treat all” or “treat none” strategies at the threshold probabilities ranging from 10 to 60% both in the derivation and external validation set. The web-based dynamic nomogram calculator was accessible on https://wfs666.shinyapps.io/onlinecalculator/.ConclusionExternal validation has shown that the model was the potential to assist clinical identification of dangerous aneurysms after longitudinal data evaluation. Size, neck width, and location are the primary risk factors for ruptured IAs.

Abstract Analysis of population genetics provides insights into the evolutionary processes, among which the sample size choice is per se a crucial issue in the analysis. Genome‐wide high‐throughput techniques based on RADseq have been increasingly used in studies on the population genomics of invasive species. However, there is little information available regarding optimal sample sizes for analyzing population genomics of invasive species. In this study, we first use type IIB endonucleases restriction site‐associated DNA (2b‐RAD) to mine thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for native and introduced populations in Q1 clade (SPB and 17JN) and Q2 clade (ISQ and UAS0601) of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) MED (also known as B. tabaci biotype Q). Then, we used resampling techniques to create simulated populations with a random subset of individuals and 3,000 SNPs to determine how many individuals should be sampled for accurate estimates of intra‐ and interpopulation genetic diversity. We calculated the intrapopulation genetic diversity parameters (unbiased expected heterozygosity, observed heterozygosity, and the number of effect alleles) and pairwise genetic differentiation FST; finally, an ad hoc statistic, ΔK, was used to determine the optimal value. Our results showed that a sample size greater than four individuals (n ≥ 4) has little impact on estimates of genetic diversity within whitefly populations; moreover, precise estimate of FST can be easily achieved at a very small simple size (n = 3 or 4). Our results will provide in‐depth understanding of the optimization of sampling schemes in population genomics of invasive species.

The Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) aboard Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) was able to capture the full waveform of backscattered laser pulse. However, the accuracy of the surface information extracted from the waveform was vulnerable to background noise. In this paper, a piecewise adaptive lq-norm trend filtering method is proposed for the GLAS full waveform denoising on the basis of trend filtering. To minimize the loss of useful signal while removing the noise, the proposed method adaptively assigns different norms to the smooth constraints according to the local signal energy. The filtered results can then be obtained by iteratively minimizing the hybrid-norm loss function. The proposed method is tested on both the simulated waveforms and real GLAS waveform data. In the simulated experiments, the quantitative evaluation is conducted with the filtered waveforms, as well as the results after waveform decomposition. For comparison, the most commonly used waveform filtering methods, i.e. Gaussian filtering, wavelet transform, Empirical model decomposition and l1 trend filtering, are involved in the experiments. The results show that the proposed method outperforms the mainstream methods on waveform filtering, in terms of removing noise and preserving the shape and energy amplitude of the GLAS waveforms.

The epidemiology of Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) in China is closely associated with its vector whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) MED. However, the transmission characteristics of ToCV by B. tabaci MED remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed: 1) the horizontal and vertical transmission of ToCV by B. tabaci MED whiteflies; 2) the acquisition of ToCV by male and female B. tabaci MED whiteflies after different feeding durations; 3) the transmission efficacy of viruliferous male and female B. tabaci MED whiteflies after different inoculation access periods (IAPs); 4) the retention of ToCV by viruliferous male and female B. tabaci MED whiteflies after a 48 h acquisition access period (AAP); and 5) the effects of ToCV on host choice of healthy or ToCV-infected tomato plant of viruliferous and non-viruliferous B. tabaci MED at different time points. Our results showed that: 1) viruliferous males could not transfer ToCV to non-viruliferous females, and vice versa, viruliferous females could not pass on ToCV to non-viruliferous males. ToCV could not be detected in the F1 generation adults; 2) ToCV could be detected within 4.0% of females or males after a 20 min AAP; 3) ToCV could be detected in 33.3% of tomato plants inoculated by 10 viruliferous males or females with IAPs of 20 or 30 min; 4) the maximum retention time in females was 7 and 5 days in males; and 5) non-viruliferous B. tabaci MED did not show a preference for ToCV-infected tomato plants or healthy tomato plants. However, viruliferous B. tabaci MED whiteflies did prefer to settle on healthy tomato plants over ToCV-infected tomato plants. These findings will be helpful to better understand the epidemiology of the recently emerged plant virus, ToCV, in tomato fields in China.

The thermal tolerance of Bemisia tabaci MED, an invasive whitefly species with worldwide distribution, plays an important role in its ecological adaptation during the invasion process. Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are closely related to heat resistance. In this study, 33 Hsps (BtaHsps) were identified based on sequenced genome of B. tabaci MED belonging to six HSP families, among which 22 Hsps were newly identified. The secondary structures of a further 22 BtaHsps were also predicted. The results of RT-qPCR showed that heat shock could affect the expression of 14 of the 22 Hsps newly identified in this study. Among them, the expression level of six Hsps increased under 42 °C treatment. As the unstudied gene, BtaHsp90A3 had the highest increase rate. Therefore, BtaHsp90A3 was chosen for the RNAi test, and silencing BtaHsp90A3 by RNAi decreased the survival rate of adult B. tabaci at 42 °C. The results indicated that only a few Hsps were involved in the thermal tolerance of host whitefly although many Hsps would response under heat stress. This study conducted a more in-depth and comprehensive identification that demonstrates the evolutionary relationship of BtaHsps and illustrates the response of BtaHsps under the influence of thermal stress in B. tabaci MED.

Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) is an important pest to fruits and vegetables. It can damage more than 300 plant species. The distribution of B. dorsalis has been expanding owing to international trade and other human activities. B. dorsalis occurrence is strongly related to suitable overwintering conditions and distribution areas, but it is unclear where these seasonal and year-round suitable areas are. We used maximum entropy (MaxEnt) to predict the potential seasonal and year-round distribution areas of B. dorsalis. We also projected suitable habitat areas in 2040 and 2060 under global warming scenarios, such as SSP126 and SSP585. These models achieved AUC values of 0.860 and 0.956 for the seasonal and year-round scenarios, respectively, indicating their good prediction capabilities. The precipitation of the wettest month (Bio13) and the mean diurnal temperature range (Bio2) contributed 83.9% to the seasonal distribution prediction model. Bio2 and the minimum temperature of the coldest month (Bio6) provided important information related to the year-round distribution prediction. In future scenarios, the suitable area of B. dorsalis will increase and the range will expand northward. Four important temperate fruits, namely, apples, peaches, pears, and oranges, will be seriously threatened. The information from this study provides a useful reference for implementing improved population management strategies for B. dorsalis.

Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) has seriously impacted tomato production around the world. ToCV is semi-persistently transmitted by the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, which is a serious agricultural pest in the world. However, the interaction mechanism between ToCV and its whitefly vector is still poorly understood. Our previous transcriptome analysis demonstrated that the expression level of an immune-related gene, prophenoloxidase (PPO), in B. tabaci increased after ToCV acquisition, which indicates that the PPO may be involved in the interaction mechanism between the ToCV and its vector. To determine the role of the PPO in the acquisition and retention of ToCV by B. tabaci, we cloned the complete Open Reading Frames (ORF) of the BtPPOs (BtPPO1 and BtPPO2), and then structure and phylogenetic analyses were performed. BtPPOs were closely related to the PPO genes of Hemiptera insects. Spatial-temporal expression detection was qualified by using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and this revealed that BtPPOs were expressed in all tissues and developmental stages. We found that only BtPPO1 was significantly upregulated after B. tabaci acquired ToCV for 12 and 24 h. According to the paraffin-fluorescence probe-fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) experiment, we verified that ToCV and BtPPO1 were co-located in the thorax of B. tabaci, which further revealed the location of their interaction. Finally, the effects of the BtPPOs on ToCV acquisition and retention by B. tabaci were determined using RNA interference (RNAi). The results showed that the RNAi of the responsive gene (BtPPO1) significantly increased the titer of ToCV in B. tabaci. These results demonstrate that BtPPO1 participates in ToCV acquisition and retention by B. tabaci.

In China, Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) are widely present in tomato plants. The epidemiology of these viruses is intimately associated with their vector, the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci MED). However, how a ToCV+TYLCV mixed infection affects viral acquisition by their vector remains unknown. In this study, we examined the growth parameters of tomato seedlings, including disease symptoms and the heights and weights of non-infected, singly infected and mixed infected tomato plants. Additionally, the spatio-temporal dynamics of the viruses in tomato plants, and the viral acquisition and transmission by B. tabaci MED, were determined. The results demonstrated that: (i) ToCV+TYLCV mixed infections induced tomato disease synergism, resulting in a high disease severity index and decreased stem heights and weights; (ii) as the disease progressed, TYLCV accumulated more in upper leaves of TYLCV-infected tomato plants than in lower leaves, whereas ToCV accumulated less in upper leaves of ToCV-infected tomato plants than in lower leaves; (iii) viral accumulation in ToCV+TYLCV mixed infected plants was greater than in singly infected plants; and (iv) B. tabaci MED appeared to have a greater TYLCV, but a lower ToCV, acquisition rate from mixed infected plants compared with singly infected plants. However, mixed infections did not affect transmission by whiteflies. Thus, ToCV+TYLCV mixed infections may induce synergistic disease effects in tomato plants.

Migratory birds are recently recognized as Vibrio disease vectors, but may be widespread transporters of Vibrio strains. We isolated Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae) and Vibrio metschnikovii (V. metschnikovii) strains from migratory bird epidemic samples from 2017 to 2018 and isolated V. metschnikovii from migratory bird feces in 2019 from bird samples taken from the Inner Mongolia autonomous region of China. To investigate the evolution of these two Vibrio species, we sequenced the genomes of 40 V. cholerae strains and 34 V. metschnikovii strains isolated from the bird samples and compared these genomes with reference strain genomes. The pan-genome of all V. cholerae and V. metschnikovii genomes was large, with strains exhibiting considerable individual differences. A total of 2,130 and 1,352 core genes were identified in the V. cholerae and V. metschnikovii genomes, respectively, while dispensable genes accounted for 16,180 and 9,178 of all genes for the two strains, respectively. All V. cholerae strains isolated from the migratory birds that encoded T6SS and hlyA were non-O1/O139 serotypes without the ability to produce CTX. These strains also lacked the ability to produce the TCP fimbriae nor the extracellular matrix protein RbmA and could not metabolize trimetlylamine oxide (TMAO). Thus, these characteristics render them unlikely to be pandemic-inducing strains. However, a V. metschnikovii isolate encoding the complete T6SS system was isolated for the first time. These data provide new molecular insights into the diversity of V. cholerae and V. metschnikovii isolates recovered from migratory birds.

An unwelcome side effect of the globalization of the world's economy and dramatic increase in human mobility and trade has been a marked increase in species invasions that have posed severe threats to the ecological, economic, and/or social stability of the introduced regions. In this review, we analyzed the application of molecular markers in invasion genetics of invasive alien insect pests (IAIPs) in China based on a bibliometric survey. Our report discusses the considerable progress that has been made during the past two decades in understanding the invasion genetics of IAIPs in China. We reviewed the major findings in the main topics including the effects of origin and routes of invasion on genetic structure, spatial and temporal genetic changes, factors contributing to the genetic changes of IAIPs, and genetic mechanisms involved in IAIPs' invasions. On the other hand, some of these research areas remain relatively unexplored in China, especially those pertaining to spatial and temporal genetic changes of IAIPs and genetic mechanisms of IAIPs' invasions. Finally, the future research prospects of IAIPs in China are discussed. We hope this review will stimulate an interest in and provide an increased understanding of the field of invasion genetics of IAIPs in China, and provide a basis for future research in this area.

Cuticle sclerotization is critical for insect survival. Laccase2 (Lac2) is a phenol oxidase that plays a key role in cuticle formation and pigmentation in a variety of insects. However, the function of Lac2 in whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, remains unclear. In this study, we identified a BtLac2 gene in B. tabaci MEAM1 and found that BtLac2 was expressed in all stages. It was highly expressed in the egg stage, followed by nymph and adult. Moreover, the expression of BtLac2 was higher in the cuticle than in other tissues. Knockdown of BtLac2 in nymphs produced thinner and fragile cuticles, which significantly increased the mortality rate, extended the development duration of nymphs, and decreased the emergence rate of adults. This result demonstrates that BtLac2 plays an important role in the cuticle hardening of B. tabaci and suggests a potential management strategy using RNAi to knock down BtLac2 expression.

Abstract From an urban and landscape perspective, it is high time to design, plan, and build complex relationships between the urban, suburban, rural spheres in order to enable metabolic loops around food and make them compatible with environmentally sound agricultural production and socially sound urban food economies. To achieve this, we contend that it will be of ecological, economic, and social advantage for cities, towns, and countryside if existing green infrastructure (GI) concepts embraced the food subject. Green infrastructure, if food productive, can enhance nature‐based solutions and be the spatial enabler of agroecological processes. Selecting the spatial landscape typology of the greenway as our example, we propose a design research pathway to explore the suitability of a ‘food‐productive greenway’—theoretically based on the design concept of ‘Continuous Productive Urban Landscape’ (CPUL)—which expands the ecological capacity of traditional GI by reorienting it toward food production and urban food system activities. We discuss this new hybrid infrastructure looking at three major space‐planning functions—ecology, economy, and social impact—with a focus on landscape ecology. In the form of a 10‐step plan, we include recommendations for urban planners and designers of how to consider food‐productive GI as key toward an urgently needed, livable postcarbon city.

Abstract Background It has become increasingly clear that symbionts have crucial evolutionary and ecological ramifications for their host arthropods. However, little is known whether these symbiont infections influence the proteome and lysine acetylome of their host arthropods. Here we performed experiments to investigate the proteomes and acetylomes of Cardinium-infected (C*+) and -uninfected (C−) Bemisia tabaci Q with identical backgrounds, through the combination of affinity enrichment and high-resolution LC-MS/MS analysis. Results Of the 3353 proteins whose levels were quantitated in proteome, a total of 146 proteins dividing into 77 up-regulated and 69 down-regulated proteins were discovered to be differentially expressed as having at least a 1.2-fold change when C*+ strain was compared with C− strain. Furthermore, a total of 528 lysine acetylation sites in 283 protein groups were identified, among which 356 sites in 202 proteins were quantified. The comparison of acetylomes revealed 30 sites in 26 lysine acetylation proteins (Kac) were quantified as up-regulated targets and 35 sites in 29 Kac proteins were quantified as down-regulated targets. Functional analysis showed that these differentially expressed proteins and Kac proteins were mainly involved in diverse physiological processes related to development, immune responses and energy metabolism, such as retinol metabolism, methane metabolism and fatty acid degradation. Notably, protein interaction network analyses demonstrated widespread interactions modulated by protein acetylation. Conclusion Here we show the proteome and acetylom of B. tabaci Q in response to the symbiont Cardinium infection. This is the first study to utilize the tool of acetylome analysis for revealing physiological responses of arthropods to its symbiont infection, which will provide an important resource for exploring the arthropod-symbiont interaction.

Abstract The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a phloem-feeding pest that lives predominantly on herbaceous species and causes serious damage to hosts. Whitefly saliva is thought to contain proteins that modulate plant defences and facilitate feeding. A predicted secreted protein, laccase 1 (LAC1), was found in the salivary gland transcriptome of B. tabaci and might be existed in the watery saliva of B. tabaci. As LAC1 has a potential role in detoxification of secondary plant compounds in insects, we speculated that it may participate in the insect’s response to plant defences. Here, we cloned the complete cDNA of LAC1 and found that (1) LAC1 was highly expressed in the salivary gland (SG) and midgut; (2) LAC1 transcript level in head (containing SG) was 2.1 times higher in plant-fed than in diet-fed whiteflies and 1.6 times higher in the head and 23.8 times higher in the midgut of whiteflies that fed on jasmonic acid (JA)-sprayed plants than on control plants; and (3) silencing LAC1 decreased the survival rate of plant-fed whiteflies but had a marginal effect on whiteflies raised on an artificial diet. These results indicate that LAC1 enables whiteflies to overcome the chemical defences of host plants and might act as an effector in saliva.

Abstract Invasive genotypes may be associated with their ability to access the invasion habitat. The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Q, has been an important agricultural pest in China since 2008. In order to identify the invasion routes and to provide insight into its invasion success in China, we analyzed the composition, distribution, and genetic diversity of mitochondrial haplotypes of B. tabaci Q. Samples were obtained from 23 provincial level administrative units in 2011, and analyses conducted based on the mtCOI. Our results revealed five haplotypes (abbreviated as Q1H1-Q1H5) were present in the Q1 subclade based on 773-bp mtCOI fragment analysis. The diversity of haplotypes indicated the B. tabaci Q populations were derived from multiple invasion sources originating from the western Mediterranean region. Among the haplotypes, Q1H1 was dominant, followed by Q1H2. The whitefly populations were generally characterized by low levels of genetic diversity based on the 773-bp mtCOI fragment. Similar results were obtained when the 657-bp fragment was analyzed using the procedure in a previous report. Potential mechanisms contributing to the dominance of the Q1H1 in China are also discussed. These results will be helpful in revealing the mechanisms that enabled the successful invasion of B. tabaci Q into the country.

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) are two of the most devastating cultivated tomato viruses, causing significant crop losses worldwide. As the vector of both TYLCV and ToCV, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean (MED) is mainly responsible for the rapid spread and mixed infection of TYLCV and ToCV in China. However, little is known concerning B. tabaci MED's molecular response to TYLCV and ToCV infection or their co-infection. We determined the transcriptional responses of the whitefly MED to TYLCV infection, ToCV infection, and TYLCV&ToCV co-infection using Illumina sequencing. In all, 78, 221, and 60 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in TYLCV-infected, ToCV-infected, and TYLCV&ToCV co-infected whiteflies, respectively, compared with non-viruliferous whiteflies. Differentially regulated genes were sorted according to their roles in detoxification, stress response, immune response, transport, primary metabolism, cell function, and total fitness in whiteflies after feeding on virus-infected tomato plants. Alterations in the transcription profiles of genes involved in transport and energy metabolism occurred between TYLCV&ToCV co-infection and single infection with TYLCV or ToCV; this may be associated with the adaptation of the insect vector upon co-infection of the two viruses. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses demonstrated that the single infection with TYLCV or ToCV and the TYLCV&ToCV co-infection could perturb metabolic processes and metabolic pathways. Taken together, our results provide basis for further exploration of the molecular mechanisms of the response to TYLCV, ToCV single infection, and TYLCV&ToCV co-infection in B. tabaci MED, which will add to our knowledge of the interactions between plant viruses and insect vectors.

Although the bacterial symbiont Cardinium has profound effects on the ecological adaptation of its host, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype Q (hereafter referred to as B. tabaci Q), the molecular mechanism underlying interactions between these two organisms is not yet fully understood. In this study, sRNA libraries were constructed, amplified, and sequenced for Cardinium-infected (C+) and uninfected (C∗−) B. tabaci Q with identical genetic backgrounds. Subsequently, the genes targeted by the differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted by integrating the B. tabaci Q genome data. A total of 125 known and 100 novel miRNAs were identified, among which 23 significant differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in both libraries. It is noteworthy that an analysis of target genes showed that Cardinium-responsive miRNA-regulated genes were functional in apoptosis, reproduction, development, immune response, thermotolerance and insecticide resistance. GO and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that some miRNA-target genes are closely associated with energy metabolism. A major finding of this study was the identification of several miRNAs that may be involved in physiological processes in response to environmental stress, i.e., insecticides and high temperatures. This information will provide a foundation to help further elucidate the functions of Cardinium in B. tabaci Q.

Finding optimal sample sizes is critical for the accurate estimation of genetic diversity of large invasive populations. Based on previous studies, we hypothesized that a minimal sample size of 3–8 individuals is sufficient to dissect the population architecture of the harlequin lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis, a biological control agent and an invasive alien species. Here, equipped with a type IIB endonuclease restriction site-associated (2b-RAD) DNA sequencing approach, we identified 13,766 and 13,929 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), respectively, among native and invasive H. axyridis populations. With this information we simulated populations using a randomly selected 3000 SNPs and a subset of individuals. From this simulation we finally determined that six individuals is the minimum sample size required for the accurate estimation of intra- and inter-population genetic diversity within and across H. axyridis populations. Our findings provide an empirical advantage for population genomic studies of H. axyridis in particular and suggest useful tactics for similar studies on multicellular organisms in general.

Though the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) was introduced into China more than 60 years ago, the genetic diversity and structure of this exotic insect pest and virus vector have not been studied. To investigate the population genetic characteristics of this invasive species and to identify potential invasion routes, the genetic diversity and population structure of 17 collections of T. vaporariorum from nine provinces in China were analyzed using seven microsatellite loci. The results of the analyses indicated that the genetic diversity for the populations examined from the four provinces: Jilin, Ningxia, Guizhou and Qinghai, was lower than the genetic diversity of populations from the five provinces: Yunnan, Shandong, Shanxi, Liaoning, and Gansu. The T. vaporariorum populations analyzed in this study grouped as two distinct genetic clusters based on the analysis using STRUCTURE, whereas, 8 clusters were identified based on the BAPS analysis. Of the 136 genetic distance (Fst) values, 128 (94%) were associated with a significant exact test. However, there was no significant relationship between Fst and geographical distance. These results demonstrate that populations of T. vaporariorum in China exhibit significant genetic differentiation, indicating the likelihood that multiple introductions of T. vaporariorum into China have occurred. Also, the populations collected from the provinces of Jilin, Ningxia, Guizhou and Qinghai appear to represent secondary introductions originating from other Chinese provinces.

BACKGROUND:Although discrepancy in the specific traits and ecological characteristics of Bemisia tabaci between species are partially attributed to the B. tabaci-associated bacteria, the factors that affect the diversity of B. tabaci-associated bacteria are not well-understood. We used the metagenomic approach to characterize the B. tabaci-associated bacterial community because the approach is an effective tool to identify the bacteria. METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS:To investigate the effects of the host plant and a virus, tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), on the bacterial communities of B. tabaci sibling species B and Q, we analyzed the bacterial communities associated with whitefly B and Q collected from healthy cotton, healthy tomato, and TYLCV-infected tomato. The analysis used miseq-based sequencing of a variable region of the bacterial 16S rDNA gene. For the bacteria associated with B. tabaci, we found that the influence of the host plant species was greater than that of the whitefly cryptic species. With further analysis of host plants infected with the TYLCV, the virus had no significant effects on the B. tabaci-associated bacterial community. CONCLUSIONS:The effects of different plant hosts and TYLCV-infection on the diversity of B. tabaci-associated bacterial communities were successfully analyzed in this study. To explain why B. tabaci sibling species with different host ranges differ in performance, the analysis of the bacterial community may be essential to the explanation.

Phenol is one of the organic pollutants which can cause water environment pollution. It is not only enriched in aquatic organisms but is also a serious threat to human health. Chironomus kiiensis is very sensitive to the contaminants in water and its cytochrome P450s are usually chosen as biomarkers for water pollution. To examine whether CYP6EV11 plays a role in the oxidative metabolism of phenol, we measured the silencing efficiency of CYP6EV11 and evaluated larval susceptibility to sublethal phenol levels by RNA interference (RNAi) technology. The results showed that the transcription of CYP6EV11 was found significantly up-regulated when the 4th instar C. kiiensis larvae were exposed to three doses of phenol. However, the transcriptional levels of CYP6EV11 were significantly suppressed by 92.7% in the 4th instar C. kiiensis larvae soaked in dsCYP6EV11 compared with those soaked in dsGFP for 6 h. The CYP6EV11 expression and mortality of the 4th instar C. kiiensis larvae with CYP6EV11 silencing were mostly decreased under phenol stress. Therefore, the CYP6EV11 gene may be used as a molecular biomarker for earlier warning and monitoring for water pollution.

Reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a reliable technique for measuring and evaluating gene expression during variable biological processes. To facilitate gene expression studies, normalization of genes of interest relative to stable reference genes is crucial. The western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), the main vector of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), is a destructive invasive species. In this study, the expression profiles of 11 candidate reference genes from nonviruliferous and viruliferous F. occidentalis were investigated. Five distinct algorithms, geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, the ΔCt method, and RefFinder, were used to determine the performance of these genes. geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder identified heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), elongation factor 1 α, and ribosomal protein l32 (RPL32) as the most stable reference genes, and the ΔCt method identified HSP60, HSP70, RPL32, and heat shock protein 90 as the most stable reference genes. Additionally, two reference genes were sufficient for reliable normalization in nonviruliferous and viruliferous F. occidentalis. This work provides a foundation for investigating the molecular mechanisms of TSWV and F. occidentalis interactions.

BACKGROUND: Our long-term field survey revealed that the Cardinium infection rate in Bemisia tabaci Q (also known as biotype Q) population was low in Shandong, China over the past few years. We hypothesize that (1) the Cardinium-infected (C+) B. tabaci Q population cannot efficiently compete with the Cardinium-uninfected (C-) B. tabaci Q population; (2) no reproductive isolation may have occurred between C+ and C-; and (3) the C- population has higher fitness than the C+ population. METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS: To reveal the differences in competitive ability and fitness between the two introduced populations (C+ and C-), competition between C+ and C- was examined over several generations. Subsequently, the reproductive isolation between C+ and C- was studied by crossing C+ with C- individuals, and the fitnesses of C+ and C- populations were compared using a two-sex life table method. Our results demonstrate that the competitive ability of the C+ whiteflies was weaker than that of C-. There is that no reproductive isolation occurred between the two populations and the C- population had higher fitness than the C+ population. CONCLUSION: The competitive ability and fitness differences of two populations may explain why C- whitefly populations have been dominant during the past few years in Shandong, China. However, the potential role Cardinium plays in whitefly should be further explored.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, conserved, non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) B and Q are two invasive and dominant whiteflies, and B. tabaci Q has been displacing B in China. Differences in biological traits (fecundity, host range, resistance to insecticides, etc.) as affected by miRNAs might be involved in the displacement. In this study, we performed high-throughput sequencing to identify miRNAs in B. tabaci B and Q. RESULTS: We identified 170 conserved miRNAs and 15 novel candidates, and found significant differences in the expression of miRNAs between B. tabaci B and Q. CONCLUSION: Expression levels of miRNAs differ in B. tabaci B vs. Q. Additional research is needed to determine whether these differences are related to differences in the biology of B. tabaci B and Q, and whether these differences help explain why B. tabaci Q is displacing B in China.

Even though introductions of exotic species provide ready-made experiments of rapid evolution, few studies have examined the genetic structure of an exotic species shortly after its initial introduction and subsequent spread. To determine the genetic structure of its populations during the initial introduction, we investigated the invasive sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Q, commonly known as B. tabaci biotype Q) in China, which was introduced in approximately 2003. A total of 619 B. tabaci Q individuals in 20 provinces throughout China were collected and analyzed using five microsatellite loci.The introduced populations of B. tabaci Q in China represent eight genetic clusters with different geographic distributions. The populations in Yunnan Province, where B. tabaci Q was first detected, are genetically different from the other populations in China.The introduced populations of B. tabaci Q in China have high spatial genetic heterogeneity. Additional research is required to determine whether the heterogeneity results from multiple introductions, rapid evolution following one or few introductions, or some combination of multiple introductions and rapid evolution. The heterogeneity, however, is inconsistent with a single introduction at Yunnan Province, where B. tabaci Q was first detected, followed by spread.

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.

BACKGROUND: Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) was introduced into China in 2006, approximately 10 years after the introduction of an invasive whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) B biotype. Even so the distribution and prevalence of TYLCV remained limited, and the economic damage was minimal. Following the introduction of Q biotype into China in 2003, the prevalence and spread of TYLCV started to accelerate. This has lead to the hypothesis that the two biotypes might not be equally competent vectors of TYLCV. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The infection frequency of TYLCV in the field-collected B. tabaci populations was investigated, the acquisition and transmission capability of TYLCV by B and Q biotypes were compared under the laboratory conditions. Analysis of B. tabaci populations from 55 field sites revealed the existence of 12 B and 43 Q biotypes across 18 provinces in China. The acquisition and transmission experiments showed that both B and Q biotypes can acquire and transmit the virus, however, Q biotype demonstrated superior acquisition and transmission capability than its B counterparts. Specifically, Q biotype acquired significantly more viral DNA than the B biotype, and reached the maximum viral load in a substantially shorter period of time. Although TYLCV was shown to be transmitted horizontally by both biotypes, Q biotype exhibited significantly higher viral transmission frequency than B biotype. Vertical transmission result, on the other hand, indicated that TYLCV DNA can be detected in eggs and nymphs, but not in pupae and adults of the first generation progeny. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These combined results suggested that the epidemiology of TYLCV was aided differentially by the two invasive whiteflies (B and Q biotypes) through horizontal but not vertical transmission of the virus. This is consistent with the concomitant eruption of TYLCV in tomato fields following the recent rapid invasion of Q biotype whitefly in China.