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Title: BEMISIA ARGENTIFOLII (HOMOPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE) COLONIZATION ON UPLAND COTTONAND RELATIONSHIPS TO LEAF MORPHOLOGY AND LEAF AGE

Author
item CHU, CHANG CHI
item FREEMAN, THOMAS - ND STATE UNIVERSITY FARGO
item BUCKNER, JAMES
item HENNEBERRY, THOMAS
item NELSON, DENNIS
item WALKER, GREGORY - UNIV OF CA RIVERSIDE CA
item NATWICK, ERIC - UNIV OF CA HOLTVILLE, CA

Submitted to: Annals of the Entomological Society of America
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/11/2000
Publication Date: 10/1/2000
Citation: Chu, C., Freeman, T.P., Buckner, J.S., Henneberry, T.J., Nelson, D.R., Walker, G.P., Natwick, E.T. 2000. Bemisia argentifolii (homoptera: aleyrodidae) colonization on upland cottonand relationships to leaf morphology and leaf age. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 93: 912-919.

Interpretive Summary: We studied the relationships between silverleaf whitefly density and leaf hair density on upland cotton leaves. We also examined leaf age as a factor that may influence the cultivar host selection in the field. Results suggest that numbers of all B. argentifolii life stages on Stonville 474 in the field are positive related to the higher trichome density compared with Deltapince 5415. In both cultivars, younger leaves from node below the main stem terminals were smaller; had higher vascular bundle densities and higher lysigenous glands than older, larger leaves, had smaller leaf areole areas, more terminal vein endings per unit leaf area, and shorter distances from abaxial leaf surfaces to minor vein phloem tissues compared with older leaves. These younger leaf morphological characteristics may contribute to the higher B. argentifolii densities on younger leaves.

Technical Abstract: We compared Bemisia argentifolii Bellows and Perring colonization on Stoneville (ST) 474 and Deltapine (DPL) 5415 cottons (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in the field. We also examined leaf trichome density, leaf age and leaf morphological characteristics as possible factors influencing cultivar host selection. The increased numbers of all B. argentifolii life stages on ST 474 in the field appeared to be related to the higher trichome density on abaxial leaf surfaces compared with DPL 5415. In both cultivars, leaves from node #1 below the terminals were smaller and had higher vascular bundle densities and numbers of lysigenous glands than older, larger leaves. Younger leaves also had smaller leaf areole areas, more terminal vein endings per unit leaf area, and shorter distances from abaxial leaf surfaces to minor vein phloem tissues compared with older leaves. These younger leaf morphological characteristics may contribute to othe higher B. argentifolii densities on younger leaves. In the laboratory electronically monitored adult females and visually monitored settled 1st and 4th instars preferred to probe into secondary and tertiary leaf veins as compared with main and primary leaf veins.