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Bemisia tabaci is one of the most threatening pests in agriculture, causing significant losses to many important crops on a global scale. The dramatic increase and availability of sequence data for B. tabaci species complex and its bacterial endosymbionts is critical for developing emerging sustainable pest management strategies which are based on pinpointing the global diversity of this important pest and its bacterial endosymbionts. To unravel the global genetic diversity of B. tabaci species complex focusing on its associated endosymbionts, along with Israeli whitefly populations collected in this study, we combined available sequences in databases, resulting in a total of 4,253 mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) sequences from 82 countries and 1,226 16S/23S rRNA endosymbiont sequences from 32 countries that were analyzed. Using Bayesian phylogenetic analysis, we identified two new B. tabaci groups within the species complex and described the global distribution of endosymbionts within this complex. Our analyses revealed complex divergence of the different endosymbiont sequences within the species complex, with overall one Hamiltonella, two Porteria (P1 and P2), two Arsenophonus (A1 and A2), two Wolbachia (super-groups O and B), four Cardinium (C1-C4) and three Rickettsia (R1-R3) groups were identified. Our comprehensive analysis provides an updated important resource for this globally important pest and its secondary symbionts, which have been a major subject for research in last three decades.

The Sternorrhyncha, which comprise about 18,700 described recent species, is a suborder of the Hemiptera, one of big five most diverse insect orders. In the modern fauna, these tiny phytophages comprise insects of great ecological and economic importance, like aphids (Aphidomorpha), scale insects (Coccidomorpha), whiteflies (Aleyrodomorpha) and psyllids (Psylloidea). Their evolutionary history can be traced back to the Late Carboniferous, but the early stages of their evolution and diversification is poorly understood, with two known extinct groups—Pincombeomorpha and Naibiomorpha variously placed in classifications and relationships hypotheses. Most of the recent Sternorrhyncha groups radiated rapidly during the Cretaceous. Here we report the new finding of very specialised sternorrhynchans found as inclusions in mid-Cretaceous amber from Kachin state (northern Myanmar), which represent another extinct lineage within this hemipteran suborder. These fossils, proposed to be placed in a new infraorder, are revealed to be related to whiteflies and psyllids. We present, also for the first time, the results of phylogenetic analyses covering extinct and extant lineages of the Sternorrhyncha.

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) are two viral diseases that threaten cassava production in the East and Central African countries. These diseases are spread by members of the cryptic species complex of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci sensu lato, and/or through the propagation of infected stem cuttings. This study aims to i) identify the B. tabaci s.l. species colonizing cassava in the north of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), ii) analyse their genetic diversity, and iii) examine how this diversity is geographically structured or influenced by invasions from neighbouring (eastern) countries with high CBSD prevalence. A comprehensive sampling survey was conducted across 43 sites from east to west in the DRC, spanning 1339 km. Both nuclear and mitochondrial markers were used to identify the species and study the genetic diversity and structuring of the populations. Three species of B. tabaci s.l. were found: B. tabaci SSA1-SG1 U SG2; B. tabaci SSA1-SG3, and B. tabaci SSA2 U SSA3. In the surveyed provinces, B. tabaci SSA1 SG1 U SG2 was the dominant species (94.91%). It was structured into two genetic clusters along the east-west transect, while B. tabaci SSA2 U SSA3 was restricted to the western provinces. The findings of this study confirm that B. tabaci SSA1-SG1 U SG2 is the most abundant and adapted species on cassava in the DRC. It is likely that this species is responsible for the spread of cassava virus diseases in the DRC. Furthermore, the results showed significant geographical structuring of B. tabaci SSA1-SG1 U SG2 populations, with potential movements of populations towards the west of the country. This highlights the increased risk of virus spread towards West Africa.

Two particular broods of the insects are popping up together for the first time in two centuries, and there’s a lot we don’t know about them. Two particular broods of the insects are popping up together for the first time in two centuries, and there’s a lot we don’t know about them.

The Cicadellinae subfamily of the Cicadellidae (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadelloidea) is quite large, with about 2400 species across 330 genera worldwide, of which 263 species in 23 genera occur in China. This work involved the sequencing of the mitochondrial genomes of ten species and nine genera within the Cicadellinae family: Anagonalia emeiensis , Anagonalia melichari, Anatkina vespertinula , Erragonalia choui , Gunungidia aurantiifasciata , Kolla paulula , Nanatka castenea , Paratkina nigrifasciana , Seasogonia rosea , and Stenatkina angustata. The acquired mitogenomes displays a significant AT bias, with the AT contents ranging from 76.1% to 81.7%. The lengths of the mitochondrial genomes range from 14,768 bp to 16,194 bp. TAG and a single T are less frequently used as stop codons, whereas TAA is the most frequently used one. Less PCGs begin with T/GTG, and the majority begin with the conventional ATN (ATA/T/G/C) codon. All tRNA genes in Cicadellinae mitogenomes fold into the standard secondary structure of a cloverleaf,except for trnS1, which lacks a stable dihydrouridine (DHU) stem and instead has s simple loop. Six phylogenetic trees constructed by maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) for the three mitochondrial datasets, respectively, consistently showed intergeneric and interspecific relationships within the Cicadellinae. Our results in particular shed light on the molecular and phylogenetic evolution of the pronotum in Cicadellinae.

Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci cryptic species complex are morphologically similar, but their genetic makeup, developmental traits and behavioral characteristics differ. Despite much research to define cryptic species based on genomic data, differences in their life history features have not been fully characterized. The focus of this research was to document life histories and demographic parameters of B. tabaci genetic groups from four different Agro-climatic zones of India. The mtCOI analysis revealed that the populations from Sri Ganganagar and Indore were characterized as Asia II 1, while those from New Delhi and Coimbatore belonged to Asia II 7 and Asia II 5 respectively. The pre-adult duration from egg to adult was significantly shortest in Asia II 7 followed by Asia II 1 Indore, Asia II 1 and was longest in Asia II 5. Adult longevity was observed to be longest in Asia II 5 and shortest in Asia II 1 (Indore). The mean fecundity was significantly highest in Asia II 7 (52.33 ± 1.2), followed by Asia II 1 Indore, Asia II 1 and lowest in Asia II 5 (36.43 ± 1.8). Age-stage specific survival rate showed the least significant differences in the survival rates among the four genetic groups with Asia II 1 showing higher survival rates in the nymphal stages. The maximum age-stage specific life expectancy was observed for females. Asia II 1 females recorded the highest life expectancy followed by Asia II 1 Indore, Asia II 5 and Asia II 7. A high finite rate of increase, higher intrinsic rate of increase and shortest mean generation time was recorded in Asia II 7 where higher net reproductive rate recorded in Asia II 1 Indore. These insights aid in predicting population dynamics and devising resilient management strategies.

Pentatomidae, the most diverse family of Pentatomoidea, is found worldwide. Currently, the phylogenetic relationships among Pentatomidae tribes remain unstable, and subfamily divergence has not been estimated. Here, we sequenced and analyzed the complete mitochondrial genomes of two species of Lelia , and studied the phylogenetic relationships among Pentatominae tribes. We also selected three available fossil as the calibration points in the family, and preliminarily discussed the divergence time of Pentatomidae. Trees of Pentatomidae were reconstructed using the Bayesian inference method. Divergence times of Pentatominae were estimated based on the nucleotide sequences of protein-coding genes with a relaxed clock log-normal model in BEASTv.1.8.2. The results showed that the gene arrangements, nucleotide composition, and codon preferences were highly conserved in Lelia . Further, a phylogenetic analysis recovered Eysarcorini, Strachiini, Phyllocephalini, and Menidini as monophyletic with strong support, however, the monophyly of Antestiini, Nezarini, Carpocorini, Pentatomini and Cappaeini were rejected. Moreover, Pentatominae diverged from Pentatomidae soon after the origin of the Cretaceous Period, at approximately 110.38 Ma. This study enriches the mitochondrial genome database of Pentatomidae and provides a reference for further phylogenetic studies, and provides a more accurate estimate of divergence time.

The metabolic adaptations by which phloem-feeding insects counteract plant defense compounds are poorly known. Two-component plant defenses, such as glucosinolates, consist of a glucosylated protoxin that is activated by a glycoside hydrolase upon plant damage. Phloem-feeding herbivores are not generally believed to be negatively impacted by two-component defenses due to their slender piercing-sucking mouthparts, which minimize plant damage. However, here we document that glucosinolates are indeed activated during feeding by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci . This phloem feeder was also found to detoxify the majority of the glucosinolates it ingests by the stereoselective addition of glucose moieties, which prevents hydrolytic activation of these defense compounds. Glucosylation of glucosinolates in B. tabaci was accomplished via a transglucosidation mechanism, and two glycoside hydrolase family 13 (GH13) enzymes were shown to catalyze these reactions. This detoxification reaction was also found in a range of other phloem-feeding herbivores. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci defends against plant glucosinolate toxins by serial addition of glucose moieties catalyzed by a pair of glycoside hydrolases, preventing toxin activation during feeding on the plant tissue.

DNA barcode reference libraries linked to voucher specimens create new opportunities for high-throughput identification and taxonomic re-evaluations. This study provides a DNA barcode library for about 45% of the recognized species of Canadian Hemiptera, and the publically available R workflow used for its generation. The current library is based on the analysis of 20,851 specimens including 1849 species belonging to 628 genera and 64 families. These individuals were assigned to 1867 Barcode Index Numbers (BINs), sequence clusters that often coincide with species recognized through prior taxonomy. Museum collections were a key source for identified specimens, but we also employed high-throughput collection methods that generated large numbers of unidentified specimens. Many of these specimens represented novel BINs that were subsequently identified by taxonomists, adding barcode coverage for additional species. Our analyses based on both approaches includes 94 species not listed in the most recent Canadian checklist, representing a potential 3% increase in the fauna. We discuss the development of our workflow in the context of prior DNA barcode library construction projects, emphasizing the importance of delineating a set of reference specimens to aid investigations in cases of nomenclatural and DNA barcode discordance. The identification for each specimen in the reference set can be annotated on the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD), allowing experts to highlight questionable identifications; annotations can be added by any registered user of BOLD, and instructions for this are provided.