【Background】Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is one of geminiviruses, which is transmitted by the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. The virus can cause serious damage to economic crops, such as vegetables and tobaccoes. Previous data indicated that the virus was introduced into the southern China in 2006 and then into Shandong in 2007. The virus has been gradually spreading throughout Shandong Province since 2008. 【Method】In order to determine the dispersal time of TYLCV in Shandong Province, we surveyed 15 B.tabaci samples collected from different counties in the province from July to August in 2005 and 2006, respectively. 【Result】The results showed that the 4 B.tabaci samples in 2005 were biotype B and all of them were nonviruliferrous. The 11 B.tabaci samples in 2006 were mixed with biotypes B and Q. TYLCV was only detected within 2 of 11 samples in 2006. Molecular analysis confirmed that the virus was TYLCV. 【Conclusion and significance】The study proved for the first time that it was at least in 2006 that the TYLCV was introduced into Shandong Province. The results have important guidance not only for the prevention and control of this virus, but also have important reference value for the invasion biology of this virus.