Natural Factors Influencing Whitefly Attack in Tomato

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of total rainfall and mean temperature, predators and parasitoids, height within the canopy, leaf chemical composition, levels of leaf N and K and densities of leaf trichomes and crystalliferous idioblasts on the intensity of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) biotype B (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) attack in six tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum var. "Santa Clara") plantations in two municipalities. Whitefly adults population positively correlated with mean temperature (r = 0.41, P = 0.0334). A higher density of nymph and adults of whitefly adults was observed at the base as compared to the apex of the plant. No significant effects of total rainfall, natural enemies, leaf chemical composition, levels of leaf N and K and trichome and crystalliferous idioblasts densities were observed on the whitefly population in tomato plants.