Tentative distribution list for Bemisia tabaci biotype B (B. argentifolii)
The B biotype of Bemisia tabaci (also considered as a separate species B. argentifolii, though this is still debated) is characterized by an extremely broad host range and its ability to induce phytotoxic disorders (e.g. squash silverleaf on cucurbits, uneven repening of tomato). This biotype can also be distinguished from other populations of B. tabaci by using an esterase marker. It is thought that the spread of this biotype is also playing a important role it the dispersal of the viruses it may transmit. B. tabaci biotype B is thought to originate from the Middle East and is now found throughout the Mediterranean, in South Africa, Caribbean, Central and North America. It is probable that most outbreaks in glasshouses in Northern Europe involve this biotype, such as in the Netherlands (EPPO RS 94/193), Spain (EPPO RS 95/137), in UK (Baker ; Cheeks, 1993 - though foci now have been eradicated) and probably in France, as symptoms of silverleaf have been described on courgette in the south (Villevieille ; Lecoq, 1992). Though the geographical distribution needs to be further investigated, the EPPO Secretariat felt that it could be useful to have a preliminary list for B. tabaci biotype B. Records listed below are reasonably certain ones but the pest is probably more widely distributed.
EPPO region: Cyprus, Israel, France(suspected), Netherlands, Spain, UK (eradicated).
Asia: Cyprus, Israel, India, Japan, Yemen.
Africa: South Africa.
North America: Mexico (Sonora, Tamaulipas, Quintana Roo), USA (Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, New York, Tennessee, Texas).
Central America and Caribbean: Antigua ; Barbuda, Belize, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica (unconfirmed), Panama, Puerto Rico, St Kitts ; Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago.
South America: Brazil, Venezuela.
Oceania: Australia (New South Wales, Northern Territory).
Sources
EPPO Secretariat, 1995-07.
Baker, R.H.A.; Cheeks, S. (1993) Bemisia tabaci in United Kingdom. IOBC/WPRS Bulletin, 16 (8), 6-11.
Villevieille, M.; Lecoq, H. (1992) L'argenture de la courgette - Une maladie nouvelle en France, liée à un aleurode. Phytoma - La Défense des Végétaux, No. 440, 35-36.