Sequence characterized amplified region markers for identifying biotypes of Bemisia tabaci (Hem., Aleyrodidae)

  Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is an important pest of agriculture and horticulture crops that includes many morphologically indistinguishable biotypes. Molecular markers can provide a scientific method to rapidly identify biotypes. In this study, we attempted to develop specific primer sets for rapidly and stably identifying various biotypes of B. tabaci . We developed sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers for each of six B. tabaci (Gennadius) biotypes (A, B, Q, Nauru, An and S). Two primer sets (BaAF/BaAR and BaQF/BaQR) were designed from random amplified polymorphic DNA‐specific fragments for the A and Q biotypes. Four forward primers, BaBF, BaNaF, BaANF and BaSF, with a common reverse primer, L2‐N‐3014, for the other four biotypes of B, Nauru, An and S, respectively, were used based on their individual mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I sequences. Six of these SCARs were useful in distinguishing each biotype from the others. Application of these SCARs will be helpful in rapidly identifying biotypes for quarantine pest control to prevent the invasion of the various biotypes.