Occurrence and distribution of Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on tomato crops in Panama

The main open-field and greenhouse producer regions of tomato in Panama (Los Santos, Herrera, Veraguas and Chiriquí provinces) were surveyed to determine the occurrence and distribution of Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum during the growing seasons of 2017 and 2018. Twenty-two plots were surveyed, and DNA extracts of 112 adult whiteflies were analyzed by multiplex PCR, using a set of specific primers of B. tabaci MEAM1, B. tabaci NW, and T. vaporariorum. DNA extracts corresponding to 57 individual whiteflies (50.9 %) rendered PCR products of expected size with B. tabaci-specific primers (37 belonged to B. tabaci MEAM1 and 20 to B. tabaci NW), whereas the remaining DNA extracts corresponding to 55 individual whiteflies (49.1 %) rendered the product of the expected size with T. vaporariorumspecific primers. The sequencing of those PCR products and BLAST analysis allowed for the identification of B. tabaci MEAM1, B. tabaci NW, and T. vaporariorum. Bemisia tabaci NW was detected in all four provinces, while B. tabaci MEAM1 was detected in the provinces of Los Santos, Herrera and Chiriquí, and T. vaporariorum was detected only in the province of Chiriquí. Bemisia tabaci MEAM1, B. tabaci NW and T. vaporariorum were detected in both production systems (open fields and greenhouse). Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 and B. tabaci NW were detected in the tropical rainforest (Af) and tropical savanna (Aw) climates, at an altitudinal range of 19–1543 meters above sea level (MASL), while Trialeurodes vaporariorum was found only in the Af climate, at an altitudinal range of 818–1661 MASL. To our knowledge, this is not only the first report of B. tabaci MEAM1 and B. tabaci NW at an altitude above 1000 MASL in Panama, but it is also the first report of T. vaporariorum at an altitude under 1000 MASL in this country. Information about the identification and geographic distribution of whiteflies in Panama will help to design effective strategies for pest management.