Sublethal effects of acephate and biphenate on fecundity, longevity, and egg viability in greenhouse whitefly (Hom., Aleyrodidae)

Abstract

AbstractSublethal effects of acephate (an organophosphate) and biphenate (a pyrethroid) on greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westw.) were investigated by measuring male and female longevity, daily rate and lifetime fecundity per female, and egg viability for cohorts exposed to LC50s when Acala SJ‐2 cotton was a host. Males T. vaporariorum were more sensitive to sublethal concentrations than females. Significant reductions in male longevity were caused by exposure to acephate and biphenate, whereas female longevity was not significantly affected by exposure. Exposure to biphenate and acephate treatments reduced lifetime fecundity by 29% and 37%, respectively. Viability of eggs laid by treated females was not affected. Analysis of patterns and heterogeneity of reproduction suggests that timing and magnitude of oviposition, average level of daily oviposition and reproductive decline were influenced by sublethal concentrations of insecticides. Results of repeated‐measures analysis of variance confirmed reductions in fecundity of females T. vaporariorum exposed to sublethal concentrations.