Distribution of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Biotypes in Florida-Investigating the Q Invasion

After the 2004 discovery of the Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemipetera: Aleyrodidae) Q biotype in the United States, there was an urgent need to detemine its distribution. As part of a coordinated country-wide effort, an extensive survey of B. tabaci biotypes was conducted in Florida, with the cooperation of growers and state and federal agencies, to monitor the introduction and distribution of both the B and Q biotypes. The biotype status of submitted B. tabaci samples was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing of a 700-800-bp mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I small subunit (mtCOI) gene fragment. PCR amplification, and size determination of tow unique microsatellite markers and esterase zymogram analysis. One hundred and eighty collections were sampled from 23 countries. Of these samples, 58% were from vegetables, 37% were from ornamentals, and 5% were from peanuts, alfalfa, and weeds. Eighteen percent of all collections were found to be the Q biotype that came from greenhouse grown ornamental and herbs located in six countries. Sequence comparison of the mtCOI gene identified three separate haplotypes within Florida that were defined as Q1, Q2, and Q3 haplotypes, supporting the conclusion that the Q biotype must have entered Florida through at least two separate introductions. Our data also show that two microsatellite markers are a cost-effective diagnostic alternative for biotype identification with 100% concurrence with mtCOI sequence data.