Differential tolerance capacity to unfavourable low and high temperatures between two invasive whiteflies

Sci Rep. 2016 Apr 15:6:24306. doi: 10.1038/srep24306.

Abstract

Thermal response and tolerance to ambient temperature play important roles in determining the geographic distribution and seasonal abundance of insects. We examined the survival and performance, as well as expression of three heat shock protein related genes, of two species of invasive whiteflies, Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED), of the Bemisia tabaci species complex following exposure to a range of low and high temperatures. Our data demonstrated that the MED species was more tolerant to high temperatures than the MEAM1 species, especially in the adult stage, and this difference in thermal responses may be related to the heat shock protein related genes hsp90 and hsp70. These findings may assist in understanding and predicting the distribution and abundance of the two invasive whiteflies in the field.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Biological*
  • Animals
  • Cold Temperature
  • Fertility
  • Gene Expression
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / genetics
  • Hemiptera / physiology*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Introduced Species*
  • Temperature*

Substances

  • Heat-Shock Proteins