Bacterial endosymbionts in life stages of Asia II-1 genetic group of Bemisia tabaci

Bacterial endosymbionts are present in majority of the agricultural pests and provide various physiological and ecological traits to its host. The beneficial traits are responsible for the success of these host insects in utilization of their plant hosts, in developing resistance to insecticides and in transmitting viruses as vectors. This study reveals the identification and localization of various bacterial endosymbionts, both primary (Portiera) and secondary (Wolbachia, Rickettsia and Arsenophonus) in the life stages of Asia II genetic group of whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) deploying diagnostic polymerase chain reaction and technique of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The observation on the localization of bacterial endosymbionts was prominent in specialized cells called bacteriocytes in all the life stages of whitefly among the nymphs and adults.