Thermal Requirements for Development of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Biotype 'B' and Their Implication to Field Sample Population Data

Accurate prediction of insect development and emergence is essential for effective pest management, but can be quite challenging. Pesticide application must be timed precisely to maximize effectiveness and minimize the number required. Temperature-dependent development of the cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, B biotype was examined on two host plants (cotton and eggplant) at three temperatures (20 °C, 25 °C, and 35 °C). Developmental rate was faster on eggplant than cotton, however it did not alter for egg and pupal stages on both hosts, but for nymphal stage it did. The statistically estimated lower developmental threshold (T0) for the total development (egg — adult) of B. tabaci was 11.94 °C and 12.33 °C on cotton and eggplant, respectively. Based on lower threshold estimation, the average heat units (dd’s) required for total development on cotton and eggplant were 299.1 and 313.3, respectively. Field data obtained from both leaf samples and yellow sticky traps for each host plant during growing seasons ...