Ji-Rui Wang

Three new species of the genus Aleuroclava Singh viz., A. bannanensis sp. nov . (Yunnan: Xishuangbanna), A. rubi sp. nov . (Zhejiang: Hangzhou), and A. yunnanensis sp. nov . (Yunnan: Xishuangbanna) are described and illustrated. And four species of the genus, viz. A. bifurcata (Yunnan: Xishuangbanna), A. citrifolii (Yunnan: Xishuangbanna), A. pearlis (Yunnan: Xishuangbanna), and A. stereospermi (Yunnan: Pu’er) are new records to the known fauna of China. In addition, the seasonal dimorphism changes of A. montanus are recorded for the first time, and comments on its morphology are provided. This brings the number of Chinese species of Aleuroclava to 44. Images of the habitus, line illustrations, and scanning electron microscope photomicrographs are provided.

The whitefly genus Aleurocanthus Quaintance & Baker is revised from China. Two new species viz., A. latifolii sp. nov. and A. macropodi sp. nov., are described and illustrated. Aleurocanthus chiengmaiensis Takahashi and A. clitoriae Jesudasan and David are recorded for the first time from China. The occurrence of an undescribed Aleurocanthus species in China is documented. Sexual dimorphism observed in the puparia of A. clitoriae is presented. New host plant records are indicated. An identification key to the puparia of Aleurocanthus species known from China is provided.

Four new species within the genus Pseudoeupolyphaga are described and illustrated: Pseudoeupolyphaga duani Ren & Han, sp. nov. , Pseudoeupolyphaga menglianensis Ren & Han, sp. nov. , Pseudoeupolyphaga spelunca Ren & Han, sp. nov. , and Pseudoeupolyphaga vestis Ren & Han, sp. nov. Morphological variants are recorded for the species Pseudoeupolyphaga pilosa . These findings further enhance the documented diversity and distribution patterns of Pseudoeupolyphaga in Southwest China.

A new species of the hitherto monotypic whitefly genus Bulgarialeurodes Corbett is described and illustrated: Bulgarialeurodes longiceriferus sp. nov. from Fujian Province. With the new species, previous diagnoses of the genus are re-evaluated and refined. Diagnostic characters distinguishing the new species from its sole congener are provided. This represents the first record of the genus in the Oriental Region of China. Habitus images, line illustrations, and SEM microphotographs are provided.

Habitat fragmentation is associated with decreased species diversity. However, the effects of fragmentation on the processes that maintain diversity, such as enemy‐mediated negative conspecific density dependence (CDD), are largely unknown. We examined how negative CDD in seedling survival is influenced by habitat fragmentation. We measured the effect of conspecific density on seedling survival of 30 species for 10 years on 25 islands in an artificially fragmented habitat and took parallel measurements of the potential drivers: soil physical and chemical properties, and insect herbivore communities. Increasing densities of conspecific trees and seedlings reduced seedling survival more on larger and more isolated islands. These processes were linked to increases in insect herbivore richness on larger islands, and less fertile soils on more isolated islands. Synthesis. Our results indicate that shifts in the abiotic and biotic conditions of fragmented habitats can modify the mechanisms thought to maintain species coexistence, perhaps contributing to the long‐term decay of fragmented ecosystems, and suggesting approaches for restoration. The relationships between island configuration, and insect herbivore communities and soil properties may vary among ecosystems, which could help explain variation among studies in the effects of fragmentation on biodiversity.

Rice is the most important cereal grain worldwide and is cultivated mainly in Asian countries. Rice viral disease epidemics caused by insect-borne viruses are a major threat to rice production. However, to date, how many unknown viruses naturally infect rice plants in the field remains vague. Here, we identified a novel polerovirus tentatively named rice dwarf polerovirus (RDPV) via RNA-seq technology in rice plants showing dwarfing and fewer tillering symptoms collected from paddy fields in Hainan Province, China. The RDPV genome consists of a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA molecule that is 5832 nt in size and is deduced to encode seven viral proteins. Phylogenetic analyses based on the full-length genome sequence and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) amino acid sequence revealed that RDPV is in an evolutionary branch with known viruses in the Polerovirus genus. Interestingly, virus transmission experiments demonstrated that RDPV can be transmitted by two completely different vectors, i.e., whiteflies and aphids, from diseased rice plants to healthy rice seedlings. Furthermore, we constructed an infectious cDNA clone of RDPV and found that it can infect Nicotiana benthamiana plants via Agrobacterium-infiltrated inoculation. Thus, we concluded that RDPV is a novel whitefly- and aphid-transmitted rice polerovirus. These findings contribute to expanding our knowledge of rice polerovirus diversity, and developing efficient strategies to manage this rice viral disease.

A new whitefly species, Aleurolobus rutae sp. nov., collected on Murraya exotica (Sapindales, Rutaceae) leaves in the Maolan National Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China, is described and illustrated. Some of the individuals were infected with Aschersonia placenta, an entomopathogenic fungus. The insect is circular in shape and characterized by a very wide submarginal region, and the submarginal furrow is almost continuous, with only a small break at the caudal furrow. Anterior and posterior marginal setae are absent, but setae are present on the 8th abdominal segment. Thoracic and caudal tracheal folds are discernible.

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is a rapidly evolving species complex, and is small in size and difficult to identify quickly and accurately. For the accurate identification and effective prevention of this species, the specific PCR method based on the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mt DNA COI) gene was used in the present study to evaluate rapid molecular detection technological applications for Mediterranean (MED) species. The MED was targeted and whitefly species from different regions were used as references. Fragments of the mt DNA COI gene of the MED and other closely related species were amplified with universal primers. Species‐specific mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (SS‐COI) primers BQLF/BQLR and BQJF/BQJR were designed from variable sites of MED and other whitefly species partial COI gene sequences. Subsequently, the lengths of target fragments were amplified by two pairs of SS‐COI primers. Meanwhile, the accuracy, specificity and sensitivity of SS‐COI primers were determined using various life stages of the MED and other related species collected from different locations. The primer pairs BQLF/BQLR and BQJF/BQJR generated 334 bp and 483 bp amplified fragment length respectively. Accuracy test results showed that primers can detect the MED single‐head adults and also accurately detect single‐egg and first instar, second instar and third instar nymphs, MED pupae, etc. Specific detection results demonstrated that the primers were able to amplify the MED but not the following species/populations: Middle East‐Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1), Asia I, Asia II 1, Asia II 6 and Asia II 7, Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Quaintanca), A. camelliae, Siphoninus phillyreae, Aleuroclava rhododendri, A. thysanospermi, Aleurolobus taonabae, Dialeurodes citri and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) in different areas. Sensitivity detection results showed that primers can detect the minimum threshold of 2,160 pg/μl and 1.38 pg/μl, respectively (equivalent to 1/1280 and 1/2000000 adult). This technique solves the problem that MED cannot be identified based on morphology. This method simultaneously adopted SS‐COI PCR technological applications that improved detection accuracy and saved detection time.

A new whitefly species, Dialeurodes (Gigaleurodes) parakmeriae Wang sp. nov., collected on Parakmeria sp. (Magnoliales: Magnoliaceae) in Shuangxikou (Zhejiang, China) is described using morphology, line illustrations, photographs and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. In addition, Dialeurodes (Gigaleurodes) maxima Quaintance & Baker, is reported as new to the fauna of China. An identification key to Chinese Dialeurodes (Gigaleurodes) species is provided. The holotype is deposited in the Insect Collection of Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University (ZAFU).

A new whitefly species, Aleuroclava schimae Wang, sp. nov. infesting leaves of Schima superba (Parietales, Theaceae) is described and illustrated from Zhejiang, China. Puparia of the new species are elliptical, broad at the transverse molting suture region and broadly truncate posteriorly. Thoracic and caudal tracheal pores are discernible. In life, the puparia are covered by a thin layer of white wax.