Abstract
Ecology of whitefly Bemisia tabaci Genn., has been studied extensively in the recent past and a varying response was observed on different host plants. The degree of this variation is because of type of host plant combination. The present investigation was conducted to find out the comparative age specific survival, mortality and life table parameters in presence of four major fruit bearing vegetables that is brinjal (Solanum melongena L.), chili (Capsicum annuum L.), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench), under laboratory conditions (26±3°C, RH: 75±5% and photophase: 14 h). The maximum survival and minimum mortality was observed on brinjal, while chili has been documented with reciprocity. Among the host plants, on which whitefly was reared, brinjal has shown superiority, documenting least mortality and shorter development of immature stages of whitefly. Least generation time (23.67±0.97 days) was observed on brinjal and maximum time was consumed on chili (33.57±1.10 days). Similarly, the highest intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was recorded on brinjal followed by tomato and the smallest rm was observed on chili. A significant difference in net reproductive rate (Ro) was perceptible, being highest on tomato (89.50±2.13 females/female). However; corresponding potential fecundity and maximum mean egg laying was received on brinjal. Fastest doubling time was also recorded on brinjal (8.41±0.02 days) followed by tomato (10.87±0.03 days) while maximum doubling time was witnessed on chili (14.01±0.05 days). The highest annual rate of increase (ARI), 1.27±0.02x1010 of individuals per year was found on brinjal and lowest on chili. The host preference of whitefly on the basis of present investigations, can be arranged in the following order brinjal>tomato>okra>chili. Key words: Bemisia tabaci, life table, fruit bearing vegetables, life parameters, female fertility
Highlights
India has long history of vegetarianism and the main vegetable crops are brinjal, chili tomato, okra, cabbage and cauliflower etc (Johnson et al, 2008) which suffers from various insect pests
According to Lin et al (2007), despite major advances having been made in understanding the biology and behavior of B. tabaci and in developing pest-management systems (Gerling and Mayer, 1996; Naranjo, 2001), whitefly still remains a major threat for commercial cultivation and this may be attributed to intensive use of pesticides (Bonato et al, 2007)
Varying responses of B. tabaci in terms of life attributes was observed when exposed to different host plants (Qui et al, 2003; Lin et al, 2003)
Summary
India has long history of vegetarianism and the main vegetable crops are brinjal, chili tomato, okra, cabbage and cauliflower etc (Johnson et al, 2008) which suffers from various insect pests. Sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Genn.) reported as pest of tobacco in 1889 (Lin et al, 2007) is a major threat worldwide (Kakimoto et al, 2007; Bayhan et al, 2006). A high reproductive rate and protective feeding locations on the host enables them to cause severe damage, hinders the efficacy of pesticide control. According to Lin et al (2007), despite major advances having been made in understanding the biology and behavior of B. tabaci and in developing pest-management systems (Gerling and Mayer, 1996; Naranjo, 2001), whitefly still remains a major threat for commercial cultivation and this may be attributed to intensive use of pesticides (Bonato et al, 2007). Life parameters have been observed on more than 50 host plants (Naranjo et al, 2010), in last few decades, a number of studies have been conducted, describing host suitability on various host plants (Carabali et al, 2010; Kakimoto et al, 2007; Bayhan et al, 2006; Samih, 2005; Samih et al, 2003a, b; Tsai and Wang, 1996; Chang-Chi et al, 1995; Bethke et al, 1991; Costa et al, 1991a; Sharaf et al, 1985) but none of the studies have included four vegetables viz., Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.), chili
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