Comparative genomics of African and Asian cassava utilising Bemisia tabaci species

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (sensu lato) is a relatively large cryptic species complex that includes some of the most damaging pests and plant-virus vectors affecting a diverse range of food and fibre crops worldwide. This group of species is within the Hemiptera, with a world-wide distribution and is one of the world's most important and prevalent group of pest species. B. tabaci species contribute to a multitude of different crop failures via the spread of > 200 plant virus species. They are the cause of crop failures in nine eastern and central African countries, which is a key factor creating recurrent famines and food insecurity in these regions. This study's main aim is to describe for the first time the East African B. tabaci Uganda Sweetpotato genome and also the Asian B. tabaci ASIAII-5 genome, and conduct comparative analyses which will be crucial for understanding the biological mechanisms that allow these pests to utilise cassava and transmit plant viruses in this crop.