EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND REPRODUCTION OF BEMISIA TABACI B BIOTYPE (HOMOPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE)

Abstract The development, survivorship and reproduction of Bemisia tabaci B biotype on eggplant at seven constant temperatures (17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32 and 35°C) were studied. The developmental periods from egg to adult varied from 48.7 days at 17°C to 13.9 days at 29°C and the developmental threshold estimated for a generation by linear regression was 12.4°C. The optimum temperature for B. tabaci population growth was 26°C, both extremely low (< 17°C) and high temperature (> 32°C) delayed the development. Survivorships from egg to adult was 67.3% at 26°C, 27.6% and 29.0% at 35°C and 17°C respectively. The average longevity of females ranged from 39.6 days at 20°C to 12.8 days at 35°C. Oviposition per female varied from 164.8 eggs at 20°C to 78.5 eggs at 32°C. Both the longevity and oviposition of B. tabaci females at different temperatures were significantly different ( P < 0.05), and the intrinsic rate of natural increase ( r _m) for B. tabaci at 29°C was the highest.