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Title: A SURVEY OF SIZES AND WEIGHT OF BEMISIA TABACI (HOMOPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE) B BIOTYPE LIFE STAGES FROM FIELD GROWN COTTON AND CANTALOUPES

Author
item CHU, CHANG CHI
item BUCKNER, JAMES
item KARUT, KAMIL - ADANA, TURKEY
item FREEMAN, THOMAS - NDSU, FARGO, ND
item NELSON, DENNIS
item HENNEBERRY, THOMAS

Submitted to: Entomologia Sinicae
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/24/2003
Publication Date: 6/1/2003
Citation: CHU, C., BUCKNER, J.S., KARUT, K., FREEMAN, T.P., NELSON, D.R., HENNEBERRY, T.J. A SURVEY OF SIZES AND WEIGHT OF BEMISIA TABACI (HOMOPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE) B BIOTYPE LIFE STAGES FROM FIELD GROWN COTTON AND CANTALOUPES. ENTOMOLOGIA SINICAE. 2003. 121-129.

Interpretive Summary: We investigated silverleaf whitefly size and weight at every stage of development in the field. The specimens were sampled from upland cotton and cantaloupe in Phoenix, AZ and measured in Fargo, ND in 2000 and 2001. A mathematical model that fits the shape of the nymphal body was used to derive the body volume for its size measurements. Results showed that the increase of nymphal body volume from 1st to 4th instars followed the exponential curve. The body volume increased the most from 3rd to 4th instars. Nymphs on cotton were wider but not longer compared with those on cantaloupe. The bottom of the nymphal body on cantaloupe increased more than the nymphs on cotton. Exuviae on cotton leaves were wider, longer, and heavier than those on cantaloupes. Parasitized exuviae was three times as heavier as the non non-parasitized. The differences of nymphal body size and volume between cotton and cantaloupe are probably partially related to the trichome density on the leaves. Adult female bodies were 18% longer and 2.3 times heavier compared with the adult males.

Technical Abstract: Size and weight measurements were made for all the life stages of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) B biotype from field grown cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L., var. cantalupensis) in Phoenix, AZ and Fargo, ND in 2000 and 2001. Nymphal volumes were derived from the measurements. The average nymphal volume increase for settled 1st to the late 4th instar was exponential. The greatest increase in body volume occurred during development from the 3rd to early 4th instar. Nymphs on cotton leaves were wider, but not longer compared with cantaloupe. Ventral and dorsal depth ratios of nymphal bodies from 1st to late 4th instars from cantaloupe leaves were significantly greater compared with those from cotton leaves. During nymphal development from 1st to 4th instar, the average (from the two host species) ventral body half volume increased by nearly 51 times compared with an increase of 28 times for the dorsal body half volume. Adult female and male average lengths, from heads to wing tips, were 1,126 um and 953 um, respectively. Average adult female and male weights were 39 and 17 ug, respectively. Average widths, lengths, and weights of eggs from cotton and cantaloupe were, 99 um, 197 um, and 0.8 ug, respectively. Average widths, lengths, and weights for exuviae of non-parasitized nymphs from both cotton and cantaloupe were 492 um, 673 um, and 1.20 ug, respectively; and widths, lengths, and weights of parasitized nymph exuviae were 452 um, 665 um, and 3.62 ug, respectively. Both exuviae from non-parasitized and parasitized nymphs from cotton leaves were wider, longer, and heavier than those from cantaloupe leaves.