Estimation of sugars and volatiles in the Honeydew of Bemisia tabaci genetic groups Meam-I and Asia-I

Abstract

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is a species complex, affecting wide varieties of crops globally, mainly a dreaded vector of Gemini viruses. It also causes extensive damage as a pest through direct feeding on the phloem sap and impacting crop yield by excreting copious amounts of honeydew. Sugars of honeydew serve as an excellent source for predators and parasitoids in pursuing their prey. In addition, the volatiles emitted by microbes in the honeydew are reported to attract the natural enemies of sucking pests. In the present study, an attempt was made to estimate sugars and identify volatiles in the honeydew of B. tabaci genetic groups viz; MEAM-I and Asia-I. HPLC analysis revealed that ribose sugar was highest in both phloem sap and honeydews followed by glucose, sucrose, and fructose. GC-MS result revealed volatiles, n-nonane, n-decane, 2-methyldecane, o-cymene benzene, n-undecane, propyl disulfide, n-dodecane, disulfide, bis (1-methylpropyl) are common in B. tabaci genetic groups.