Rapid identification of Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Bemisia tabaci (MEAM1 and MED) and tomato-infecting criniviruses in whiteflies and in tomato leaves by real-time reverse transcription-PCR assay

The whiteflies Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera Aleyrodidae) are harmful pests of vegetable and ornamental crops in many countries. Also, they are vectors of emergent viruses on tomato including the criniviruses (Closteroviridae genus Crinivirus) Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) and Tomato infectious chlorosis virus (TICV). Since different vectors are involved in the transmission of both viruses (ToCV is transmitted by B. tabaci, Trialeurodes abutiloneus and T. vaporariorum while TICV is transmitted only by T. vaporariorum), and they induce similar symptoms on tomato plants, a sensitive and specific diagnosis method is desirable. In addition, a rapid discriminating method of the vectors is essential for monitoring and control activities and epidemiological studies. For these reasons, a combined protocol based on one-step multiplex real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR has been developed for the identification of T. vaporariorum, two invasive species of the complex B. tabaci (MEAM1 and MED) and for the specific detection of ToCV and TICV in whiteflies and plants.