Host plant effect on development and reproduction of Bemisia argentifolii Bellows et Perring (B. tabaci [Gennadius] B-biotype) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Abstract

The development, survivorship and reproduction of the whitefly Bemisia argentifolii Bellows et Perring (B. tabaci [Gennadius] B-biotype), raised on four commercial vegetables, were studied in the laboratory at 25°C. The development time of B. argentifolii was 21.8 d on eggplant, 22.4 d on cucumber, 22.7 d on sweet pepper and 25.6 d on tomato; the development time on tomato was significantly longer than that on the other vegetables. The survival of immature B. argentifolii raised on eggplant was significantly higher than on tomato. The mean lifetime fecundity of B. argentifolii on eggplant, cucumber, sweet pepper and tomato was 221.3, 167.6, 92.3 and 62.9 eggs, respectively; lifetime fecundity on eggplant was significantly greater than that on the other plants. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm), net reproductive rate (R0) and mean generation time (T) was 0.168, 185.1 and 31.2 d on eggplant; 0.153, 130.7 and 31.8 d on cucumber; 0.143, 73.1 and 30.0 d on sweet pepper; and 0.110, 36.1 and 32.7 d on tomato, respectively. Based on population growth parameters, we conclude that eggplant is the most suitable and tomato the least suitable host plant for B. argentifolii.