Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationships between environmental temperatures and life-history traits of whitefly Bemisia tabaci on cassava in the Northern part of Vietnam. The influence of temperature on the biological characteristics of whitefly B. tabaci fed on cassava was evaluated at 20ºC, 25ºC, 27.5ºC, and 30ºC using individual insect rearing methodology. Results of the study showed that the development time from egg to adult of B. tabaci was influenced by temperatures. The data indicated that under different temperatures (20ºC, 25ºC, 27.5ºC, and 30ºC), the life cycle of B. tabaci were 41.46, 28.64, 24.29, and 20.25 days, respectively. The determination of lower developmental threshold and degree days for whitefly development were 11.2ºC and 344.8 degree-days. There were 14.31 whitefly generations within 1 year on cassava suggesting this plant is a suitable host plant for the development and reproduction of B. tabaci. Female longevity ranged from 4.92 to 10.23 days. The fecundity ranged from 49.3 to 74.0 eggs/female. The mortality rate reached its highest rate of 36.27% at 30ºC. Our results suggested that B. tabaci had high reproduction rates and demonstrated their positive fitness traits on cassava in a wide range of temperatures, being a potential important pest of cassava cultivars.
Highlights
Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) is one of the most serious pests on many crops such as pulses, cotton, cucumber, tomatoes, eggplant, tobacco, and cassava in tropical and subtropical areas
Biological characteristics of B. tabaci have been studied for various host plants, different temperatures reported as cotton, tomato, tobacco, and soybean, etc. (Le Thi Lieu & Tran Dinh Chien, 2004; Touhidul & Ren, 2007; Tran Dinh Pha et al, 2008; Dam Ngoc Han et al, 2012; Le Thi Tuyet Nhung, 2014; Khan & Wan, 2015)
Emerged adults of B. tabaci were kept on leaves of potted cassava plants, and the whole plants were placed in separated cages sized 40 x 40 x 80cm in the laboratory of the Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agronomy, Vietnam National University of Agriculture
Summary
Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) is one of the most serious pests on many crops such as pulses, cotton, cucumber, tomatoes, eggplant, tobacco, and cassava in tropical and subtropical areas. The damage of crops caused by B. tabaci leads to reductions in yield and product quality. This pest can cause damages directly through plant sap-feeding and indirectly through the transmission of plant pathogenic viruses, primarily begomoviruses (Geminiviridae), Crinivirus (Closteroviridae), and Nguyen Duc Khanh et al (2021). Biological characteristics of B. tabaci have been studied for various host plants, different temperatures reported as cotton, tomato, tobacco, and soybean, etc. The development time from egg to adult whitefly ranges from 15-70 days, dependending on the temperature and host plant (Swati et al, 2017). The average number of eggs produced per female ranges from 50 to 400 (Swati et al, 2017; Carabali et al, 2010)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
