Flight Behavior and Color-trap Preference of Parabemisia myricae (Kuwana) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) in a Citrus Orchard

Abstract

A significantly greater number of Parabemisia myricae (Kuwana) adults were attracted to a yellow (570 µm) trap than were attracted to green (510 µm), red (630 µm), blue (450 µm), fluorescent yellow (550 µm), white, or clear traps. The optimum trap height for a sticky yellow trap within a citrus orchard was 0.76 m, although whiteflies commonly flew above the tree canopies. P. myricae flew between sunrise and dusk, with flight peaks occurring during late morning and late afternoon. Abiotic factors such as sunlight, wind velocity, and temperature appeared to influence flight behavior.