Population Dynamics of Whiteflies and Associated Viruses in South America: Research Progress and Perspectives

Abstract

By having an extensive territory and suitable climate conditions, South America is one of the most important agricultural regions in the world, providing different kinds of vegetable products to different regions of the world. However, such favorable conditions for plant production also allow the development of several pests, increasing production costs. Among them, whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) stand out for their potential for infesting several crops and for being resistant to insecticides, having high rates of reproduction and dispersal, besides their efficient activity as virus vectors. Currently, the most important species occurring in South America are Bemisia afer, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, and the cryptic species Middle East-Asia Minor 1, Mediterranean, and New World, from Bemisia tabaci complex. In this review, a series of studies performed in South America were compiled in an attempt to unify the advances that have been developed in whitefly management in this continent. At first, a background of the current whitefly distribution in South American countries as well as factors affecting them are shown, followed by a background of the whitefly transmitted viruses in South America, addressing their location and association with whiteflies in each country. Afterwards, a series of management strategies are proposed to be implemented in South American fields, including cultural practices and biological and chemical control, finalizing with a section containing future perspectives and directions for further research.

Keywords: Bemisia tabaci; Trialeurodes vaporariorum; begomovirus; carlavirus; crinivirus.

Figure 1

(A) Eggs and adults of Bemisia tabaci. (B) A large infestation of B. tabaci on the abaxial side of the soybean leaflet. (C) Different life stages of Bemisia tabaci colonizing and feeding on a cabbage leaf. (D) Adults of Trialeurodes vaporariorum feeding on the abaxial side of a tomato leaf. (E,F) Sooty mold covering sweet pepper leaves and fruits.

Figure 2

Symptoms associated with whitefly-transmitted viruses. (A) Symptoms of leaf rugose and internerval chlorosis caused in tomato leaf by tomato severe rugose virus. (B) Fruit deformation in tomatoes infected with tomato yellow vein streak virus. (C,D) Yellowing symptoms are caused by tomato chlorosis virus in tomato and bell pepper leaves, respectively. (E) Mottling symptoms in cucumber infected with tomato chlorosis virus. (F) Symptoms of mosaic in beans infected with bean golden mosaic virus. (G,H) Symptoms of cowpea mild mottle virus in common beans and Soybean, respectively.

Figure 3

Evolution in adopting tomato cultivation under exclusion screens in Valle de Azapa, north of Chile, between years 2009 (A) and 2019 (B).