IDENTIFICATION OF NEW GENETIC VARIANT OF BEMISIA TABACI FROM PAKISTAN

Abstract

New genetic variant of Bemisia tabaci {Gennadius, (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)} Asia-II-7 (Cv biotype) was found and is reported for the first time in Pakistan. Samples were collected randomly from vegetable cultivated fields in Rawalpandi and Islamabad regions. Previously all the reported sequences are from the southern and central Punjab and samples were taken from cotton and other vegetables hosts. A phylogenetic tree was constructed showing all the sequences generated by this study were grouped into two genetic clades Asia-II-7 and Asia-II-1 (K, P, PCG-1, PK1, SY and ZHJ2 biotype). A report suggests that Asia-II-7 genetic variant adapts readily to ornamental plants as compared to vegetables. The sampling area (Rawalpindi) from where this genetic variant was found was a large area harboring both vegetables and ornamental plants. One reason for this genetic variant not being previously reported from Pakistan may be that the previous reports concentrated on fiber and food crops not on the ornamentals. A more detailed study involving extensive work, including large sample areas and from multiple hosts and locations is needed to fully elucidate the genetic variation of B. tabaci in Pakistan.