Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Aleurodicus dispersus (Hemiptera, Aleyrodidae)

Ten microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized from Aleurodicus dispersus, the spiraling whitefly, an exotic pest species that is considered to be one of the most serious agricultural pests on Hainan Island, China. The polymorphism of these loci was examined in individual whiteflies from Hainan Island and from the Canary Islands. All loci were polymorphic, with two to four alleles per locus. Mean observed and expected heterozygosity values were 0.773 and 0.585, respectively. These microsatellite markers provide powerful tools for ecological, epidemiological and population genetic studies on this highly invasive insect. Thirty insects were collected and studied at each location. There were no differences between the two locations.