Abstract
Whiteflies are Hemipterans that typically feed on the undersides of plant leaves. They cause severe damage by direct feeding as well as transmitting plant viruses to a wide range of plants. However, it remains largely unknown which genes play a key role in development and host selection. In this study, weighted gene co-expression network analysis was applied to construct gene co-expression networks in whitefly. Nineteen gene co-expression modules were detected from 15560 expressed genes of whitefly. Combined with the transcriptome data of salivary glands and midgut, we identified three gene co-expression modules related to host plant selection. These three modules contain genes related to host-plant recognition, such as detoxification genes, chemosensory genes and some salivary gland-associated genes. Results of Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses elucidated the following pathways involved in these modules: lysosome, metabolic and detoxification pathways. The modules related to the development contain two co-expression modules; moreover, the genes were annotated to the development of chitin-based cuticle. This analysis provides a basis for future functional analysis of genes involved in host-plant recognition.
Highlights
The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is one of the most important insect pests for major crops, especially in the sub-tropical and tropical regions around the world (Liu et al, 2007; De Barro et al, 2011)
In contrast with previous research, the module related to host plant selection was included Cathepsin B, but we found more genes related to host plant selection, such as Odorantbinding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs)
This study aimed to identify the host plant selection-related module and development-related module in the whitefly
Summary
The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is one of the most important insect pests for major crops, especially in the sub-tropical and tropical regions around the world (Liu et al, 2007; De Barro et al, 2011). WGCNA Analysis of Whitefly damage to crops (Xu et al, 2011; Liu et al, 2012). B. tabaci has a wide host range with a total of 600 different plant species from different families such as: Compositae, Cruciferae, Cucurbitaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Leguminosae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, and Solanaceae (Mound and Halsey, 1978; Johnson et al, 1982; Elsey and Farnham, 1994; Bayhan et al, 2006; Li et al, 2011). The genes related to whitefly development and host-plant selection are still unknown
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
