First record of Bondar’s Nesting Whitefly, Paraleyrodes bondari Peracchi (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Bangladesh: its morpho-molecular identification and coexistence with other whitefly species

The Bonder’s nesting whitefly, Paraleyrodes bondari (Peracchi) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is an invasive whitefly insect pest native to Brazil, recognized for its high adaptability as well as extensive host range, although coconut ( Cocos nucifera L.) is the main preferred host plant. Coconut is an economically important tropical fruit crop in Bangladesh, valued for its high market demand, source of consistent income for the growers, and livelihood support. We made an extensive survey on the whitefly infestation of coconut by the construction of distinctive woolly wax nests on the abaxial surfaces of palm leaflets in the south-western region of Bangladesh and recorded the presence of Bonder’s Nesting Whitefly (BNW), P. bondari , for the first time in Bangladesh through morphological and molecular analysis. Morphological characterization based on the presence of ‘X’-shaped oblique greyish bands on its wings, oval-shaped eggs with stalk or pedicel, flat puparium with no tail-like structure, and molecular identification based on the mtCOX1 gene confirmed the BNW’s identity. Phylogenetic analysis using the Maximum Likelihood method placed the isolates within the P. bondari clade with strong bootstrap support. We also found that the co-existence of P. bondari and Aleurodicus rugioperculatus on coconuts suggests simultaneous invasion of both species from the New World. The polyphagous nature of the non-native BNW warrants stringent quarantine protocols to prevent its further spread to other coconut-growing areas, as well as the urgency of developing effective, sustainable management strategies to protect high-value coconut and other tropical crops from potential economic losses.