Abstract
The development and morphometrics of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) were studied on cassava and a description was made of the different nymphal instars and other biological characteristics. The nymphal instars were distinguished using easily recognisable morphological characteristics. Abnormally developing individuals were also easily recognised. Regression analysis was highly significant between the length and width of nymphal instars modelled collectively indicating two-dimensional growth at least across three nymphal stadia. Males were smaller than females on the basis of body length, wing width and width of the abdomen. The insects showed better development on a Colombian cassava variety as compared to an African variety, Ebwanateraka from Uganda, and consistently showed a higher proportion of males than females (2.33: 1) for early-emerging individuals. Mean developmental period on both varieties was 22 days and the first instars accounted for the major part of the developmental period which ranged from 19 to 29 days. The mean number of eggs/female/day was 4.89. The actual events of first instar eclosion, which can last up to approximately five minutes, were described. The intervals of honeydew flow to the vasiform orifice lasted a minimum mean time of 20.8 seconds and a maximum mean time of 123 seconds.
Résumé
Le développement et la morphométrie de l’aleurode, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) ont été étudiés sur manioc et une description de différentes étapes de développement nymphal et autres caractéristiques biologiques ont été faites. Les stades nymphaux étaient distingués sur base des traits morphologiques facilement reconnaissables. Les individus avec un développement anormal étaient également facilement identifiables. L’analyse de régression entre la longueur et la largeur du corps des stades nymphaux pris collectivement était très significative, indiquant ainsi une croissance bidimensionnelle au moins à travers trois stades nymphaux. Sur base de la longueur du corps, la largeur de l’aile et la largeur de l’abdomen, les mâles étaient plus petits que les femelles. Les insectes ont montré un meilleur développement sur une variété de manioc de Colombie par rapport à Ebwanateraka, une variété africaine d’Ouganda. Ils ont également montré une proportion uniformément plus élevée de mâles que de femelles (2,33:1) chez des individus précoces. La durée moyenne de développement sur les deux variétés de manioc était de 22 jours et la durée des premiers stades comptaient pour la plus grande partie de la période de développement qui s’étendait de 19 à 29 jours. Le nombre moyen d’oeufs/femelle/jour était de 4,89. Les processus d’éclosion du premier stade, qui peuvent durer approximativement jusqu’à cinq minutes ont été décrits. Les intervalles de temps minimal et maximal d’écoulement du miellat de l’orifice vasiforme était en moyenne de 20,8 et 123 secondes.
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Thompson, W.M.O. Development, Morphometrics and Other Biological Characteristics of the Whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on Cassava. Int J Trop Insect Sci 20, 251–258 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400015605
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400015605