Morpho-molecular characterization and genetic diversity of the invasive rugose spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) across agro-ecological zones of Bangladesh

The invasive rugose spiralling whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) has emerged as a serious threat to coconut and other crops in Bangladesh. First recorded in 2019, the RSW has rapidly dispersed nationwide, however its details morpho-molecular characterization and genetic diversity have remained largely unexplored. The present study provides the first comprehensive nationwide morpho-molecular identification and genetic diversity analysis of RSW collected from infested coconut palms ( Cocos nucifera L.) across all thirty agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of Bangladesh. Species identification was confirmed using morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial cytochrome c-oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene. Morphological examination confirmed key diagnostic features of A. rugioperculatus , including a convex puparium with a single straight tail-like projection and greyish-brown irregular bands on adult forewing, clearly distinguishing it from the morphologically similar species, A. disperses. Analysis of 615 bp of the mtCOI gene from thirty individuals (one per AEZ) revealed complete genetic uniformity across all sampled locations. A single haplotype was detected ( h  = 1) with zero haplotype diversity ( Hd  = 0), zero nucleotide diversity (π = 0) and no segregating site ( S  = 0). The nucleotide composition showed a strong AT bias (76.1%) with negative AT-skew (-0.1966). Phylogenetic analysis using the Maximum Likelihood method placed all Bangladeshi isolates within a single monophyletic clade with strong bootstrap support, clustering closely with invasive lineages reported from the India and the United States. The absence of detectable genetic variation across all sampled agro-ecological zones strongly suggests a recent founder event, likely involving a single introduction followed by rapid clonal expansion. The findings of this study—particularly the complete genetic homogeneity observed across all AEZs, provide important baseline information for the development of region-specific monitoring programs and predictive outbreak models under changing climatic conditions, and support the implementation of precise and targeted integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.