Oviposition and Development of the Sweetpotato Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Biotype B, on Tea Leaves

Abstract

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci biotype B, laid eggs on tea leaves in both no-choice and choice tests. However, the number of eggs laid on tea leaves was significantly less than oviposition on cucumber, eggplant and cabbage. The survival rates of eggs and nymphs on tea leaves were extremely low compared to survival on cucumbers, but egg-to-adult development time on both plants was similar.