Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Maricopa, Arizona » U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center » Pest Management and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #198873
Title: Bemisia tabaci nymphal feeding pathway in cotton

Author
item Chu, Chang Chi
item FREEMAN, TOM - NDSU, FARGO, ND
item Buckner, James
item Henneberry, Thomas

Submitted to: Bemisia International Workshop Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/10/2008
Publication Date: 1/10/2008
Citation: Chu, C., Freeman, T.P., Buckner, J.S., Henneberry, T.J. 2008. Bemisia tabaci nymphal feeding pathway in cotton. Bemisia International Workshop Proceedings. Journal of Insect Science 8(4)

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: We are using brightfield light microscopy, differential interference contrast microscopy, confocal scanning light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy to investigate the feeding pathways of sweetpotato whitefly nymphs in cotton leaves. Microscopy events trace the insect’s stylet penetrations from the initial entrance in the abaxial epidermal leaf surface and thereafter through the various leaf structures, as evidenced by the salivary sheaths, to the phloem tissue where feeding occurs. The morphology of the salivary sheath pathways between and through leaf cells was recorded with photographic images. The results indicate that salivary sheaths appear to present and within the phloem tissue sieve tubes. Sweetpotato whitefly nymphs may move their stylets to feed in different sieve tubes. Continuing studies are being made to determine if and how the salivary sheaths attach to individual sieve tubes and the mechanisms of penetration of sweetpotato whitefly nymph stylets into phloem tissues during feedings.