Cryptic species‐specific transmission of the invasive begomovirus tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus by the whitefly <i>Bemisia tabaci</i>

Abstract Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV), a bipartite begomovirus initially identified in tomato, has rapidly spread worldwide, emerging as a significant threat to cucurbit and other crops. Although geminiviruses are typically transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci , the specific cryptic species responsible for ToLCNDV transmission remains largely unclear. In this study, we collected diseased tomato and cucurbit plants, along with associated whiteflies, in China, and detected ToLCNDV in both plant and whitefly samples. We then compared the acquisition and transmission efficiency of ToLCNDV among whiteflies of three B. tabaci cryptic species: the invasive Middle East‐Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1), Mediterranean (MED), and the indigenous Asia II 1. Our findings revealed that whiteflies of three species were capable of acquiring ToLCNDV; however, MED and Asia II 1 transmitted the virus with significantly higher efficiency than MEAM1. Tissue‐specific viral load analysis further indicated that the virus crossed the midgut wall more effectively in MED and Asia II 1 compared to MEAM1. These results provide direct evidence that B. tabaci transmits ToLCNDV in a cryptic species‐dependent manner. Given the global prevalence of B . tabaci , the potential role of specific cryptic species in driving the spread of ToLCNDV warrants close monitoring and proactive management strategies.