Genetic Status and Endosymbionts Diversity of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on Hosts Belonging to Family Malvaceae in India

A study was instigated to examine the genetic status and distribution of known endosymbionts namely Portiera , Rickettsia , Wolbachia , Cardinium , and Arsenophonus in the populations of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) from three host plants: cotton ( Gossypium herbaceum ), okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus L.), and China rose ( Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ) belonging to the family Malvaceae. The presence of four secondary endosymbionts Rickettsia , Wolbachia , Cardinium , and Arsenophonus was checked in Bemisia tabaci populations. Phylogenetic analyses grounded on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (mtCO1) unveiled the presence of Asia 1, Asia II 1, and Asia II 7 genetic groups for Bemisia tabaci on abovementioned crops. Individuals were examined for symbiotic bacterial infection with specific primers amplifying the 16S rRNA gene for Portiera , Rickettsia , Cardinium , and Wolbachia , and the 23S rRNA gene for Arsenophonus . The results show that Portiera was present in all the Bemisia tabaci samples. However, variations were noted in the circulation frequencies of secondary endosymbionts among the Bemisia tabaci populations. A significant difference was noticed in the distribution frequency of Rickettsia between cotton and China rose or okra with their p values as 0.016 and 0.033 respectively. The uneven incidence of secondary endosymbionts ropes the assumption that each endosymbiotic bacterium not only has a role in the endurance but may contribute to the polyphagous nature of Bemisia tabaci . It also brings an uncomplicated evidence for progressive studies on control measures of this notorious insect pest.