Rapid identification of adult whiteflies in plant consignments using monoclonal antibodies

A rapid and simple method for the identification of adult whiteflies (Homop tera: Aleyrodidae) would be valuable, both to facilitate pest management de cision making and, more importantly, to prevent the introduction of new pes ts into non-infested areas. Considering the enormous economic losses that h ave resulted in the recent past from the accidental introduction of harmful species, there is a clear and urgent need for a reliable antibody-based te st kit that would allow non-specialist growers, extension workers and custo ms authorities to identify whiteflies. As a first step in this process, thi s paper describes the development and characterisation of monoclonal antibo dies capable of distinguishing between major pest species of whitefly, and application of these antibodies in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EL ISA). A monoclonal antibody is described that reacts strongly with both mal e and female Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) but not with either Bemis ia tabaci (Gennadius) or B. argentifolii Bellows & Perring. A second antibo dy is reported that gives a strong response to female Bemisia sp. that does not react with T. vaporariorum of either sex. The two antibodies used in c ombination provide a powerful means of distinguishing between adult whitefl y, particularly at low levels of infestation in plant consignments, when pu pae cannot easily be found.