First Report of Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean (Biotype Q) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

MED was detected for the first time in the Dominican Republic from 2 provinces (Santo Domingo and Santiago), 2 host plants (tomato and tobacco), and 2 environments (greenhouse and open field). All MED sequences were identical and determined to be of Eastern Mediterranean origin. MEAM1 was the predominant B. tabaci cryptic species present, and was detected in all but 1 sample, which was 100% MED. NW was detected twice on eggplant in different geographical regions, and once on Mexican prickly poppy in a native habitat, but always with MEAM1.