Morphological and Molecular Identification of Bemisia tabaci Cryptic Species Complex on Tomato and Pepper

Abstract

Accurate identification of cryptic species within the Bemisia tabaci complex is essential for understanding their distribution, host preference, and role in transmitting plant viruses in vegetable cropping systems. The present study focused on the morphological and molecular identification of B. tabaci cryptic species associated with tomato and pepper crops cultivated under different agroecological conditions. Adult whiteflies were collected from infested fields, and morphological characteristics such as body coloration, wing morphology, and puparial features were examined using standard taxonomic procedures. Due to the morphological similarity among cryptic species, molecular characterization was performed using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) gene analysis to accurately determine species identity and genetic relationships. DNA amplification and sequence analysis revealed the presence of genetically distinct cryptic species within the B. tabaci complex on both host plants. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated significant genetic variation among populations, indicating possible adaptation to specific host plants and environmental conditions. Certain cryptic species showed higher prevalence on tomato compared to pepper, suggesting host-associated distribution patterns. The combined use of morphological and molecular approaches improved the reliability of species identification and provided valuable insights into the diversity of B. tabaci populations in vegetable ecosystems. The findings contribute to the development of targeted pest management strategies and support effective monitoring programs aimed at reducing whitefly infestations and associated viral disease transmission in tomato and pepper cultivation systems.