Molecular Diversity and Distribution of Whiteflies () in Cassava Fields Across South West and North Central, Nigeria.

Whitefly (Gennadium, Hemiptera) causes severe damage to cassava plants through excessive feeding on leaves and transmitting viruses, such as (ACMV), (EACMV), and ipomoviruses that cause cassava brown streak disease. Currently, little is known about the molecular diversity and distribution of whitefly species in the major cassava-growing zones of Nigeria. This study aimed to address the knowledge gap by assessing the genetic diversity, distribution, and associated cassava mosaic begomoviruses (CMBs) in whiteflies across South West and North Central, Nigeria.