Trap catches of the sweetpotato whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) in the Imperial Valley, California, from 1996 to 2002

Abstract

An outbreak of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), biotype B occurred in the Imperial Valley, California in 1991. The insects destroyed melon crops and seriously damaged other vegetables, ornamentals and row crops. As a result of the need for sampling technology, we developed a whitefly trap (named the CC trap) that could be left in the field for extended time periods. We used the traps to monitor populations of B. tabaci adults during year‐round samplings from 1996 to 2002 to study variations in the weekly trap catches of the insect. The greatest number of B. tabaci adults was recorded in 1996, followed by a continuing annual decrease in trap catches each year through 2002. The overall decline of B. tabaci is attributed in part to the adoption of an integrated pest management (IPM) program initiated in 1992 and reduced melon hectares from 1996 to 2002. Other factors may also have contributed to the population reductions. Seasonally, B. tabaci trap catches decreased during the late summer and fall concurrent with decreasing minimum temperatures that are suggested to be a significant factor affecting seasonal activity and reproduction.

Population Dynamics, Demography, Dispersal and Spread of Bemisia tabaci

“…Population densities of B. tabaci continued to drop over the next several years (Fig. 6.7) as measured by a whitefly monitoring program from 1996 to 2002 (Chu et al 2007). The long persistence of soil-systemic applications of imidacloprid helped to suppress early buildups of B. tabaci in spring cucurbits that, along with other management adjustments, helped to bring the perpetual outbreak of the early 1990s under control.…”

Effect of geomagnetic field on whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) flight to the cardinal and halfway directions and their attraction to different colors in Jeddah of Saudi Arabia

“…Also it was found that color is an important factor for the whiteflies in selecting the host plant, where whitefly attracts to different wavelengths ranging between long that attract it to the host plant, and a short wave associated with migratory behavior (Osman, 1996). It was reported that whitefly B. tabaci was positive to the movement of light, as it was attracted to two ranges of wavelengths that is bluish-violet and yellow, female whiteflies were always attracted to the yellow color ( Pereira and Laurentin, 2001 ;Chu et al, 2007). But, Vaishampayan et al (1975) have proved that Trialeurodes vaporariorum made a response to the yellow-green color in large numbers with a wavelength ranging from 520 to 610 nm.…”