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Changes in temperature and the deposition of potential pollutants in the soil, such as heavy metals, may damage plant communities, altering their physiological processes. High temperature may also cause a series of morpho-anatomical, physiological and biochemical changes in plants. However, tolerant plant species tend to restrict these harmful effects. The present study investigates the impact of atmospheric warming on the accumulation capacity of heavy metals (Zn, Ni, Cu) in the roots and leaves of a pioneer species (Croton floribundus) and a non-pioneer species (Esenbeckia leiocarpa) native to the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. The experimental design involved exposing the plants to two soil treatments: without excess metals (-M) and with excess metals (+M), along with varying thermoperiods of 26 °C day/19 °C night and 32 °C day/20 °C night in growth chambers. Over a 28-day period, we assessed weekly metal content, translocation, growth parameters, a non-enzymatic antioxidant (glutathione) and indicators of cell damage or oxidative stress (chlorophylls a and b, total chlorophyll (a+b), carotenoids, malondialdehyde and conjugated diene hydroperoxide contents). Both species exhibited increased metal accumulation under excess metals, employing distinct translocation strategies. C. floribundus showed high translocation rates of Ni to leaves and E. leiocarpa immobilized Ni in the roots. Atmospheric warming reduced Cu and Ni translocation from roots to leaves in both species. C. floribundus displayed lower physiological damage compared to E. leiocarpa, demonstrating robust growth. We concluded that the pioneer species possessed greater tolerance to oxidative stress induced by temperature and metal-related environmental factors than the non-pioneer species, confirming our hypothesis. In addition, our finding provides valuable insights for conservation and management of ecosystems affected by climatic and pollutant changes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

An integrative approach combining genomics, transcriptomics, and cell biology is presented to address leaf scald disease, a major problem for the sugarcane industry. To gain insight into the biology of the causal agent, the complete genome sequences of four Brazilian Xanthomonas albilineans strains with differing virulence capabilities are presented and compared to the GPEPC73 reference strain and FJ1. Based on the aggressiveness index, different strains were compared: Xa04 and Xa11 are highly aggressive, Xa26 is intermediate, and Xa21 is the least, while, based on genome structure, Xa04 shares most of its genomic features with Xa26, and Xa11 share most of its genomic features with Xa21. In addition to presenting more clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) clusters, four more novel prophage insertions are present than the previously sequenced GPEPC73 and FJ1 strains. Incorporating the aggressiveness index and in vitro cell biology into these genome features indicates that disease establishment is not a result of a single determinant factor, as in most other Xanthomonas species. The Brazilian strains lack the previously described plasmids but present more prophage regions. In pairs, the most virulent and the least virulent share unique prophages. In vitro transcriptomics shed light on the 54 most highly expressed genes among the 4 strains compared to ribosomal proteins (RPs), of these, 3 outer membrane proteins. Finally, comparative albicidin inhibition rings and in vitro growth curves of the four strains also do not correlate with pathogenicity. In conclusion, the results disclose that leaf scald disease is not associated with a single shared characteristic between the most or the least pathogenic strains. IMPORTANCE An integrative approach is presented which combines genomics, transcriptomics, and cell biology to address leaf scald disease. The results presented here disclose that the disease is not associated with a single shared characteristic between the most pathogenic strains or a unique genomic pattern. Sequence data from four Brazilian strains are presented that differ in pathogenicity index: Xa04 and Xa11 are highly virulent, Xa26 is intermediate, and Xa21 is the least pathogenic strain, while, based on genome structure, Xa04 shares with Xa26, and Xa11 shares with X21 most of the genome features. Other than presenting more CRISPR clusters and prophages than the previously sequenced strains, the integration of aggressiveness and cell biology points out that disease establishment is not a result of a single determinant factor as in other xanthomonads., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

While there are documented host shifts in many bacterial plant pathogens, the genetic foundation of host shifts is largely unknown. Xylella fastidiosa is a bacterial pathogen found in over 600 host plant species. Two parallel host shifts occurred-in Brazil and Italy-in which X. fastidiosa adapted to infect olive trees, whereas related strains infected coffee. Using 10 novel whole-genome sequences from an olive-infecting population in Brazil, we investigated whether these olive-infecting strains diverged from closely related coffee-infecting strains. Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms, many derived from recombination events, and gene gain and loss events separated olive-infecting strains from coffee-infecting strains in this clade. The olive-specific variation suggests that this event was a host jump with genetic isolation between coffee- and olive-infecting X. fastidiosa populations. Next, we investigated the hypothesis of genetic convergence in the host shift from coffee to olive in both populations (Brazil and Italy). Each clade had multiple mutations and gene gain and loss events unique to olive, yet no overlap between clades. Using a genome-wide association study technique, we did not find any plausible candidates for convergence. Overall, this work suggests that the two populations adapted to infect olive trees through independent genetic solutions., (© 2023 The Authors. Molecular Plant Pathology published by British Society for Plant Pathology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Olfactory signaling is key to the reproductive biology of entomophilous palms. Both pollinating and specialized herbivorous insects are attracted to fragrance-emitting palm inflorescences that function as reliable food sources, as well as mating and oviposition sites. In the present study, we characterized the floral scent chemistry of the acuri palm (Attalea phalerata), assessing its role in the attraction of flower-visiting insects associated with this species over its natural distribution range. We sampled insects from staminate inflorescences of A. phalerata (n = 6) at four different sites in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and Cerrado, and Colombian Amazon basin. Dynamic headspace scent samples of both pistillate and staminate inflorescences of A. phalerata (n = 3♀, 3♂) were collected and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Methyl acetate, a rare floral scent compound, was identified as the almost exclusive constituent (> 99.8% relative percentage) in all the samples. Flight-interception traps baited with methyl acetate, installed in one of the sites in the Brazilian Cerrado, were attractive to beetles associated with inflorescences of A. phalerata across all four sampling sites (9 spp. in total), including the putative main pollinators (Mystrops spp., Nitidulidae; Andranthobius spp., Curculionidae) and various palm borers (Paratenthras martinsi, Cerambycidae; Parisoschoenus sp.1 and Belopoeus sp.1; Curculionidae). Methyl acetate is highly volatile and we hypothesize its efficacy relies on profuse emission by the inflorescences of A. phalerata, as specialized pollinating insects respond to high concentrations of the attractant, perhaps before odor plumes rapidly disperse. Such a strategy could prove particularly effective in dense populations of A. phalerata.

Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca , once confined to South America and infecting mainly citrus and coffee plants, has been found to be associated with other hosts and in other geographic regions. We present high-quality draft genome sequences of X. fastidiosa subsp. pauca strains J1a12, B111, U24D, and XRB isolated from citrus plants in Brazil, strain Fb7 isolated from a citrus plant in Argentina and strains 3124, Pr8x, and Hib4 isolated, respectively, from coffee, plum, and hibiscus plants in Brazil. Sequencing was performed using Roche 454-GS FLX, MiSeq-Illumina or Pacific Biosciences platforms. These high-quality genome assemblies will be useful for further studies about the genomic diversity, evolution, and biology of X. fastidiosa .

Citrus leprosis (CL) is one of the most important viral diseases in sweet orange orchards in Latin America. It is caused by members of at least five species of the so-called Brevipalpus-transmitted viruses (BTV), and the prevalent is Citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C). This virus has the broadest host range amongst all CL-associated viruses and is transmitted by Brevipalpus yothersi, a polyphagous mite that can colonize a large variety of host plants, including some spontaneous ground cover plants. But if, on one hand, spontaneous plants can host CL virus and vector, on the other hand, they can offer alternative food for predators, equally common in organic citrus orchards. Brevipalpus yothersi and predator mites were surveyed in 33 spontaneous plants of a Westin sweet orange orchard conducted under organic production system in Brazil, from June 2010 to April 2011. Predatory mites were identified as phytoseiids, and Iphiseiodes zuluagai was the prevalent species, representing 58% of all predators. Other phytoseiids were considered accidental species in the area. Ageratum conyzoides and Alternanthera tenella were the most represented plant host species to predators, comprising 28 and 10% of the total surveyed plants, respectively. Brevipalpus yothersi specimens were detected on various spontaneous species: A. conyzoides, A. tenella, Amaranthus deflexus, Bidens pilosa, Ipomoea quamoclit, I. cairica, Merremia cissoides, Solanum americanum, Panicum maximum, and, predominantly, Commelina benghalensis. The latter has been previously reported as host of CiLV-C as well and, therefore, it is recommended to eliminate this species from citrus orchards.

Soil samples collected near municipal schools (public/EMEI and private/EPEI schools), clubs (CLB), public squares (PS) and residential condominiums (CND) and samples of animal faeces from the Zoonosis Control Centre (CCZ) of the municipality of Votuporanga/SP were analysed using the Baermann method for the detection of zoonotic helminth larvae. The prevalence rates of the nematode genera identified were determined, and the results were compared using Fisher's exact and chi-square frequency tests. Information about cases of larvae migrans in the population were collected from the Family Health Units and the private health plans. All sites were positive for Ancylostoma spp. and, with the exception of EPEIs and dog faeces, for Strongyloides spp. The prevalence of Ancylostoma spp. was 87.5% for CND samples, 74.29% for EMIEs, 63.64% for CLB, 61.76% for PS and 64.29% for dog's and 42.86% for cats at CCZ. The prevalence of Strongyloides spp. ranged from 14.29% (cats/CCZ) to 41.18% (PS). Cases of cutaneous larva migrans were reported during interviews. Thus, from the public health perspective, the risk of individuals that frequent recreational areas in the municipality, especially children, to be infected by helminth larvae is noteworthy, indicating the need to develop policies aimed at controlling this important zoonosis.

Citrus leprosis (CL) is one of the most devastating viral diseases of orchards, and industries correspondingly invest highly in the management and control of the virus vector. In Brazil, the disease is caused most predominantly by the citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C, Kitaviridae: Cilevirus), and also by citrus leprosis virus N (CiLV-N, Rhabdoviridae: Dichorhavirus). Both viruses are transmitted by false spider mites and at least three different species, Brevipalpus yothersi Baker, B. papayensis Baker, and B. phoenicis (Geijskes) sensu stricto, have been reported in citrus orchards. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the capacity of three Brevipalpus species to transmit citrus leprosis virus (cytoplasmic and nuclear types). The capacity of false spider mites to acquire the virus was accomplished using RT-PCR and the ability to inoculation the virus to host plants (common bean and sweet orange) was assessed via viral transmission assays. Common beans infested with B. yothersi and B. papayensis showed symptoms of CiLV-C in 87.5 and 17% of the plants assessed, respectively. In sweet orange, B. yothersi was exclusively able to inoculate CiLV-C, and around 83% of samples were symptomatic. Host plants infected with CiLV-N showed symptoms only when infested with B. phoenicis sensu stricto (s.s.). All the Brevipalpus species (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) were able to acquire both viruses (CiLV-C and CiLV-N), but not infect plants. These results suggest the existence of virus-vector specificity in the leprosis pathosystem, and this information will be critical for enhancing our further understanding of epidemiological features and disease management., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

There are relatively few studies concerning the use of coffee leaves for medicinal purposes and the composition of secondary plant substances. Therefore, we identified and quantitated polyphenolic compounds along with caffeine present in methanol extracts of Coffea arabica leaves from three different regions of Brazil (Ceará, Minas Gerais and São Paulo) by HPLC-ESI-MS. In addition, correlations between polyphenolic content of the coffee leaves and antioxidant assays DPPH, FRAP and ORAC were evaluated. Fifteen compounds belonging to three classes of polyphenols (xanthones, chlorogenic acids and flavonoids) along with the alkaloid caffeine were detected. The mean concentration of total polyphenolic compounds in the leaves of C. arabica, harvested from three different regions of Brazil was quite variable. The highest values were detected in the coffee leaves harvested in Minas Gerais (n = 4) at 40.80(13.00) g/kg (SD), followed by coffee leaves harvested in São Paulo (n = 20) at 24.79(20.19) g/kg, and the lowest in coffee leaves harvested in Ceará (n = 11) in the Northeast of Brazil at 10.30(5.61) g/kg. The three classes of polyphenols, all showed excellent correlations in the antioxidant assays. Coffee leaf tea, appears to be an excellent functional beverage, with its high content of polyphenolic compounds, which may render positive biologic effects, when inbibed as part of the normal human diet., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The Bemisia tabaci is a polyphagous insect and a successful vector of plant viruses. B. tabaci is a species complex and in Brazil native species from the New World (NW) group, as well as the invasive species, Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED) were reported. For better understanding the distribution of the different species four years after the Mediterranean species invasion in Brazil, whiteflies were collected from 237 locations throughout the country between the years of 2013 and 2017, species were identified and the facultative endosymbionts detected. The survey revealed that MEAM1 was the prevalent species found on major crops across Brazil. It is the only species present in North, Northwestern and Central Brazil and was associated with virus-infected plants. MED was found in five States from Southeast to South regions, infesting mainly ornamental plants and was not associated with virus-infected plants. The prevalent endosymbionts identified in MEAM1 were Hamiltonella and Rickettsia; and the mtCOI analysis revealed low genetic diversity for MEAM1. In contrast, several different endosymbionts were identified in MED including Hamiltonella, Rickettsia, Wolbachia and Arsenophonus; and two distinct genetic groups were found based on the mtCOI analysis. Monitoring the distribution of the whiteflies species in Brazil is essential for proper management of this pest.

Annatto (Bixa orellana L.) is a tropical American crop, commercially valuable due to its application in the food and cosmetics industries as a natural dye. The wild ancestor of cultivated annatto is B. orellana var. urucurana. Although never cultivated, this variety occurs in open forests and anthropogenic landscapes, and is always associated with riparian environments. In this study, we evaluated the genetic diversity and structure of B. orellana var. urucurana populations in Brazilian Amazonia using 16 microsatellite loci. We used Ecological Niche Modeling (ENM) to characterize the potential geographical range of this variety in northern South America. We analyzed 170 samples from 10 municipalities in the states of Rondônia, Pará and Roraima. A total of 194 alleles was observed, with an average of 12.1 alleles per locus. Higher levels of expected (HE) than observed (HO) heterozygosities were found for all populations. Bayesian analysis, Neighbor-Joining dendrograms and PCAs suggest the existence of three strongly structured groups of populations. A strong and positive correlation between genetic and geographic distances was found, suggesting that genetic differentiation might be caused by geographic isolation. From species distribution modelling, we detected that South Rondônia, Madre di Dios River basin, Llanos de Mojos, Llanos de Orinoco and eastern Ecuador are highly suitable areas for wild annatto to occur, providing additional targets for future exploration and conservation. Climatic adaptation analyses revealed strong differentiation among populations, suggesting that precipitation plays a key role in wild annatto's current and potential distribution patterns., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

The current study evaluated helminth infections in birds raised in different production systems for different purposes (extensive/dual-purpose, semi-intensive/broiler, semi-intensive/hen, intensive/hen and intensive/broiler) in Brazil. A total of 374 birds was assessed for helminths at necropsy using standard parasitological methods. During the necropsies, organs from the gastrointestinal tract (crop, esophagus, proventriculus, gizzard, small intestine, large intestine and ceca) of each bird were collected and the contents fixed in 70% ethanol. Additionally, the trachea and eyes were assessed for the presence of helminths. The small intestine was examined using a methodology that allowed the recovery of cestode scolices attached to the intestinal mucosa. Stereomicroscopy and optical microscopy were used to detect and identify helminth species based on their morphological characteristics. Fifteen helminth species were found among birds from the different systems. The extensive system presented the highest number of helminth species (six cestodes, seven nematodes and one trematode) and the highest number of parasites (mean helminths/bird), followed by the semi-intensive system (broiler: six cestode and four nematode species; hens: five cestode and three nematode species). Hens from the intensive system were parasitized by five cestode, four nematode and one trematode species. No parasites were detected in broilers raised in the intensive systems. The results obtained in this study highlight the need for special attention and the implementation of biosecurity measures for the prevention of helminth infections in intensive systems (hens) and particularly in extensive and semi-intensive alternative poultry production systems., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The present study aimed to identify common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars less susceptible to Caliothrips phaseoli (Hood) in different growing seasons, to evaluate whether climatic conditions influence plant resistance to C. phaseoli infestation, and to investigate the preferred plant part for insect feeding. Eighteen common bean cultivars were evaluated in the winter season, and 19 cultivars were assessed in the rainy and dry seasons, under field conditions in the municipality of Jaboticabal, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Infestation of C. phaseoli nymphs in the upper and lower parts of the beans plants was recorded at weekly intervals from 25 days after plant emergence (DAE) to 60 DAE. In the winter season, the cultivars 'IAC Galante,' 'IAC Centauro,' 'IAC Carioca Eté,' and 'IAC Formoso' had significantly lower number of thrips than the cultivar 'IAC Diplomata.' In the rainy season, the cultivars 'IAC Harmonia' and 'IPR Siriri' had the lowest thrips infestation, differing from the cultivars 'BRS Pontal' and 'IAC Una.' The bean cultivars were equally susceptible to C. phaseoli in the dry season. The results suggest that C. phaseoli nymphs prefer to infest leaves of the lower part of bean plants, like most generalist herbivorous insects. In the winter and dry seasons, the highest thrips infestation was observed at 60 DAE, while in the rainy season, it was recorded from 32 to 46 DAE. Overall, C. phaseoli infestation on bean cultivars was not influenced by either temperature, relative humidity, or rainfall., (© The Authors 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Forest biophysical structure - the arrangement and frequency of leaves and stems - emerges from growth, mortality and space filling dynamics, and may also influence those dynamics by structuring light environments. To investigate this interaction, we developed models that could use LiDAR remote sensing to link leaf area profiles with tree size distributions, comparing models which did not (metabolic scaling theory) and did allow light to influence this link. We found that a light environment-to-structure link was necessary to accurately simulate tree size distributions and canopy structure in two contrasting Amazon forests. Partitioning leaf area profiles into size-class components, we found that demographic rates were related to variation in light absorption, with mortality increasing relative to growth in higher light, consistent with a light environment feedback to size distributions. Combining LiDAR with models linking forest structure and demography offers a high-throughput approach to advance theory and investigate climate-relevant tropical forest change., (© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd/CNRS.)

Strains of Xylella fastidiosa constitute a complex group of bacteria that develop within the xylem of many plant hosts, causing diseases of significant economic importance, such as Pierce's disease in North American grapevines and citrus variegated chlorosis in Brazil. X. fastidiosa has also been obtained from other host plants, in direct correlation with the development of diseases, as in the case of coffee leaf scorch (CLS)--a disease with potential to cause severe economic losses to the Brazilian coffee industry. This paper describes a thorough genomic characterization of coffee-infecting X. fastidiosa strains, initially performed through a microarray-based approach, which demonstrated that CLS strains could be subdivided in two phylogenetically distinct subgroups. Whole-genomic sequencing of two of these bacteria (one from each subgroup) allowed identification of ORFs and horizontally transferred elements (HTEs) that were specific to CLS-related X. fastidiosa strains. Such analyses confirmed the size and importance of HTEs as major mediators of chromosomal evolution amongst these bacteria, and allowed identification of differences in gene content, after comparisons were made with previously sequenced X. fastidiosa strains, isolated from alternative hosts. Although direct experimentation still needs to be performed to elucidate the biological consequences associated with such differences, it was interesting to verify that CLS-related bacteria display variations in genes that produce toxins, as well as surface-related factors (such as fimbrial adhesins and LPS) that have been shown to be involved with recognition of specific host factors in different pathogenic bacteria., (© 2015 The Authors.)

The essential oils from leaves and inflorescences of Lippia origanoides Kunth present aromatic and medicinal potential and have been used to treat several diseases, including melanoma. In Brazil, L. origanoides is commonly found in campo cerrado and cerrado stricto sensu, physiognomies featured mainly by the differential light conditions to which short and medium-sized plants are subjected. Our aim was to investigate the glandular trichome density and the yield and chemical composition of the essential oils in leaves and inflorescences of L. origanoides from campo cerrado and cerrado stricto sensu. For glandular density analysis, leaves and inflorescences were processed according to conventional techniques for scanning electron microscopy. The essential oils of leaves and inflorescences were obtained by hydrodistillation and identified with gas chromatography. Bracts and sepals showed the highest glandular density, followed by petals and leaves. The glandular density in the abaxial leaf surface was higher in individuals from the campo cerrado. In both populations the essential oil yield was higher in inflorescences than in leaves. The chemical composition of the essential oils varied among individuals from different areas and inside a same population. Our results demonstrated the chemical plasticity of L. origanoides suggesting the importance of monitoring its popular use.

Brown rust (causal agent Puccinia melanocephala) is an important sugarcane disease that is responsible for large losses in yield worldwide. Despite its importance, little is known regarding the genetic diversity of this pathogen in the main Brazilian sugarcane cultivation areas. In this study, we characterized the genetic diversity of 34 P. melanocephala isolates from 4 Brazilian states using loci identified from an enriched simple sequence repeat (SSR) library. The aggressiveness of 3 isolates from major sugarcane cultivation areas was evaluated by inoculating an intermediately resistant and a susceptible cultivar. From the enriched library, 16 SSR-specific primers were developed, which produced scorable alleles. Of these, 4 loci were polymorphic and 12 were monomorphic for all isolates evaluated. The molecular characterization of the 34 isolates of P. melanocephala conducted using 16 SSR loci revealed the existence of low genetic variability among the isolates. The average estimated genetic distance was 0.12. Phenetic analysis based on Nei's genetic distance clustered the isolates into 2 major groups. Groups I and II included 18 and 14 isolates, respectively, and both groups contained isolates from all 4 geographic regions studied. Two isolates did not cluster with these groups. It was not possible to obtain clusters according to location or state of origin. Analysis of disease severity data revealed that the isolates did not show significant differences in aggressiveness between regions.

The self-fertilization or selfing rate estimation using microsatellite markers and its impact on survival and selection rate were evaluated in families derived from polycrosses that involved parents that were widely used in sugarcane breeding in Brazil. These factors were evaluated under unfavorable natural conditions of flowering and crossing. After the germination test, the viable progeny were taken to the field for survival rate evaluation (4, 6, and 10 months) and phenotypic selection at plant cane. The selfing rate estimate based on microsatellite markers present in the progeny and absent in their female parent was 98.5 and 0% for the polycross families derived from IACSP95-5000 and SP89-1115, respectively. The survival and selection rates in the last 2 evaluations were higher for the SP89-1115 outcrossed family than the IACSP95-5000 selfed family. The IACSP95-5000 cultivar excelled either as pollen donor with fertilization capability or viable seed production even under unfavorable natural conditions of crossing. The environment influence (temperature and humidity) had an important role during the polycross.

The silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a cryptic species complex that contains some of the most damaging pests in tropical and subtropical regions. Recent studies have indicated that this complex is composed of at least 24 distinct and morphologically indistinguishable species that mainly differ in their ability to transmit phytoviruses, adapt to hosts, and induce physiological changes in certain hosts. The importance of this species has been increasing worldwide, because it serves as a phytovirus vector, particularly for geminiviruses, in economically important crops. Here, we aimed to examine the population variability of B. tabaci populations inhabiting 6 agricultural crops grown in 5 regions of Brazil and 1 region of the USA; BRrep [Brasília (DF, Brazil) - cabbage], ILsoj [Urbana (IL/USA) - soybean], BJabo [Bom Jesus da Lapa (BA, Brazil) - pumpkin], CPsoj [Campinas (SP, Brazil) - soybean], UBman [Ubatuba (SP, Brazil) - cassava], and PEmel [Petrolina (PE, Brazil) - melon]. Thirteen polymorphic loci with 50 alleles were observed, with an average of 2.37 (range: 2.00-2.91) alleles per population. The UBman and PEmel B. tabaci populations were the most differentiated, which was probably caused by insect adaptation to the host plant and the use of insecticides. A 33.87% inter-population variation was observed, indicating that microsatellites may be used to measure differentiation among these B. tabaci populations. Based on the comparison of microsatellites in the current study, only the Middle East-Asia Minor 1 population of B. tabaci was found in the six populations.