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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #103256
Title: ATTRACTION OF SILVERLEAF WHITEFLIES TO WHITE FLUORESCENT AND INCANDESCENT LIGHT UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Author
item CHU, CHANG CHI
item HENNEBERRY, THOMAS
item BOYKIN, M. - ARS, USDA, WCRL, BRAWLEY

Submitted to: Sweetpotato Whitefly Progress Review Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Studies were conducted at the USDA-ARS Irrigated Dessert Research Station laboratory at Brawley, CA, to determine the attractiveness of fluorescent and incandescent light sources to adults of silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows and Perring. Individuals moved from a release chamber through plastic tubes to white fluorescent and incandescent light sources 1.5 ft distant from the release point. Silverleaf whitefly adults respons to light under laboratory conditions was minimal at light intensities of 2 lux or less as measured by traps catches at the fluorescent light source. More adults were attracted to higher intensity compared with low intensity fluorescent light. Fewer adults were attracted to low (5 lux) intensity incandescent light compared with higher (137 lux) intensity fluorescent light when both were at the energy level of 0.3-0.4 W/m2 . Minor movement of B. argentifolii adults occurred under dark or very low light intensity (< 2 lux) conditions. More adults were attracted to cotton and cantaloupe leaves and yellow sticky card traps adjacent to light sources (highest reflected light intensity) than to leaves and yellow sticky card traps distant from light sources (lower reflected light intensities).