A new record for Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) species complex of Turkey

In this study, species complex of Turkish Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) populations was determined by PCR‐based DNA analysis. According to phylogenetic analyses, the B. tabaci samples have been identified within three generic groups. A major part of the samples belonged to two invasive species, either Middle East–Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) or Mediterranean (MED). In addition to these two invasive species, several samples collected from greenhouses and cotton fields have been found to be related to Middle East–Asia Minor 2 (MEAM2), which is the first record of Turkish B. tabaci species complex.     

Host plants and natural enemies of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in China

Abstract The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, has been a destructive pest in China for over the past two decades. It is an extremely polyphagous insect, being recorded feeding on hundreds of host plants around the world. Potential host plants and natural enemies of B. tabaci in the south, southeast, middle, north and northwest of China were investigated during the last decade. In total 361 plant species from 89 families were recorded in our surveys. Plants in the families Compositae, Cruciferae, Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae and Leguminosae were the preferred host species for B. tabaci, which therefore suffered much damage from this devastating pest due to their high populations. In total, 56 species of parasitoids, 54 species of arthropod predators and seven species of entomopathogenic fungi were recorded in our surveys. Aphelinid parasitoids from Encarsia and Eretmocerus genera, lady beetles and lacewings in Coleoptera and Neuroptera were found to be the dominant arthropod predators of B. tabaci in China. The varieties of host plant, their distribution and the dominant species of natural enemies of B. tabaci in different regions of China are discussed.     

Diversity and evolution of the Wolbachia endosymbionts of Bemisia (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) whiteflies

Wolbachia is the most prevalent symbiont described in arthropods to date. Wolbachia can manipulate host reproduction, provide nutrition to insect hosts and protect insect hosts from pathogenic viruses. So far, 13 supergroups of Wolbachia have been identified. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a complex containing more than 28 morphologically indistinguishable cryptic species. Some cryptic species of this complex are invasive. In this study, we report a comprehensive survey of Wolbachia in B. tabaci and its relative B. afer from 1658 insects representing 54 populations across 13 provinces of China and one state of Australia. Based on the results of PCR or sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, the overall rates of Wolbachia infection were 79.6% and 0.96% in the indigenous and invasive Bemisia whiteflies, respectively. We detected a new Wolbachia supergroup by sequencing five molecular marker genes including 16S rRNA, groEL, gltA, hcpA, and fbpA genes. Data showed that many protein‐coding genes have limitations in detecting and classifying newly identified Wolbachia supergroups and thus raise a challenge to the known Wolbachia MLST standard analysis system. Besides, the other Wolbachia strains detected from whiteflies were clustered into supergroup B. Phylogenetic trees of whitefly mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I and Wolbachia multiple sequencing typing genes were not congruent. In addition, Wolbachia was also detected outside the special bacteriocytes in two cryptic species by fluorescence in situ hybridization, indicating the horizontal transmission of Wolbachia. Our results indicate that members of Wolbachia are far from well explored.     

The role of the whitefly,Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), and farmer practices in the spread of cassava brown streak ipomoviruses

Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) is arguably the most dangerous current threat to cassava, which is Africa's most important food security crop. CBSD is caused by two RNA viruses: Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV). The roles of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and farmer practices in the spread of CBSD were investigated in a set of field and laboratory experiments. The virus was acquired and transmitted by B. tabaci within a short time (5–10 min each for virus acquisition and inoculation), and was retained for up to 48 hr. Highest virus transmission (60%) was achieved using 20–25 suspected viruliferous whiteflies per plant that were given acquisition and inoculation periods of 24 and 48 hr, respectively. Experiments mimicking the agronomic practices of cassava leaf picking or the use of contaminated tools for making cassava stem cuttings did not show the transmission of CBSV or UCBSV. Screenhouse and field experiments in Tanzania showed that the spread of CBSD next to spreader rows was high, and that the rate of spread decreased with increasing distance from the source of inoculum. The disease spread in the field up to a maximum of 17 m in a cropping season. These results collectively confirm that CBSV and UCBSV are transmitted by B. tabaci semipersistently, but for only short distances in the field. This implies that spread over longer distances is due to movements of infected stem cuttings used for planting material. These findings have important implications for developing appropriate management strategies for CBSD.     

烟粉虱对四种蔬菜寄主的选择性

为探讨利用趋避作用防治烟粉虱的可能性,进行了3方面试验：1）烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) 对黄瓜、花椰菜、油菜和莴苣等4种蔬菜的寄主选择性; 2）互喷烟粉虱不同嗜好的寄主植物汁液对其寄主选择性的影响; 3）不同间作方式对黄瓜叶上烟粉虱成虫密度的影响。结果表明,烟粉虱对供试植物有明显的选择性,其嗜好程度为花椰菜>黄瓜>油菜>莴苣。喷施莴苣和花椰菜汁液对烟粉虱的寄主选择性均有显著影响,喷施莴苣原液后,花椰菜和黄瓜上的成虫数分别减少79.6%和87.4%,花椰菜上的着卵量减少84.3%;喷施花椰菜原液后,莴苣上的成虫数和着卵量分别增加82.4%和79.2%,表明不同蔬菜中的内含物是引起烟粉虱对寄主选择性的重要原因。在黄瓜中间作莴苣可使黄瓜叶上烟粉虱成虫数平均减少76.5%;间作花椰菜时,通过诱集作用,也可使黄瓜叶上的成虫数平均降低69.7%。这些结果为利用喷施蔬菜汁液和间作方式控制烟粉虱危害提供了理论依据。     

寄主作物对B型烟粉虱生长发育和种群增殖的影响

在恒温28℃、湿度80％的条件下研究了5种寄主植物对B型烟粉虱(Bemisia tubaci)生长、发育和繁殖的影响。结果表明：取食棉花、烟草、花生、大豆和玉米的烟粉虱。其形态、发育历期、存活率、成虫繁殖力和寿命等生命参数均有明显差异。棉花、大豆和玉米不利于烟粉虱卵和若虫的生长发育。表现为虫体较小、卵期和生命周期延长、存活率降低。烟粉虱在棉花、大豆、花生、烟草和玉米上的生命周期分别为32．03d、32．11d、25．69d、24．43d和20．68d。其存活率分别为49．86％、54．41％、86．86％、69．93％和29．38％。与烟草和玉米相比。棉花、大豆和花生明显有利于烟粉虱的种群繁殖．在棉花、大豆、花生、烟草和玉米上生长发育的成虫寿命和单雌产卵量分别是27．8d和235．O粒、23．2d和191．1粒、22．Od和131．1粒、6．25d和28．O粒、2．42d和5．1粒。在花生、大豆、棉花、烟草和玉米上的内禀增长率(rm)分别为O．1590、O．1364、O．1236、O．0841和-O．0285．其种群趋势指数(I)分别为113．85、117．38、103．98、19．58和O．4274。     

辣椒碱对烟粉虱的生物活性及生长发育和生殖力的影响

在实验室条件下研究了辣椒碱对烟粉虱的生物活性及生长发育和生殖力的影响.结果表明:辣椒碱对烟粉虱各虫态均有杀虫活性,且随辣椒碱浓度的增大活性增强;辣椒碱浸叶法/浸虫法处理对烟粉虱成虫、卵和若虫的毒力(LC50分别为3525.79、1603.29和1526.27mg·L-1))均高于内吸法处理(LC50分别为5360.04、2359.19和5897.43 mg.L-1),两种处理方法下辣椒碱对烟粉虱卵的毒力均明显高于对成虫的毒力;2000和4000 mg·L-1浓度辣椒碱对烟粉虱成虫具有明显的拒食作用,烟粉虱在该两种浓度辣椒碱处理过的棉花叶上取食24 h的蜜露分泌量均显著低于取食非处理棉花叶后的蜜露分泌量;辣椒碱各试验浓度对烟粉虱成虫均表现出较强的产卵忌避作用,当辣椒碱处理浓度达4000 mg·L-1时,对烟粉虱的选择性产卵忌避率和非选择性产卵忌避率分别高达94.2％和83.0％.500、1000和2000 mg·L-1辣椒碱浸渍处理对烟粉虱存活卵和若虫的发育历期、成虫羽化率均没有影响,但辣椒碱4000mg·L-1处理明显延长烟粉虱若虫发育历期、降低成虫羽化率.不同浓度辣椒碱处理均明显抑制烟粉虱生殖力,且这种抑制作用随辣椒碱浓度的增大而增强.     

B型烟粉虱在甘蓝、西葫芦和辣椒上的刺吸取食行为

利用刺吸电波技术（EPG）记录了B型烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci在甘蓝Brassica oleracea L. var. caqitata、西葫芦Cucurbita pepo L.和辣椒Capsicum annuum L.上的刺吸取食波形。结果表明,3种寄主植物的适合度为甘蓝>西葫芦>辣椒。在所观察的25头烟粉虱中,到达甘蓝、西葫芦和辣椒韧皮部的个体数分别为24、19和15,其中持续吸食头数为22、10和1。在第一阶段（从刺吸开始到第一个E(pd)1出现）,烟粉虱在甘蓝、西葫芦和辣椒3种植物上非刺探时间所占比例分别为9.59%、23.55%和36.97%,三者差异显著; 在第二阶段（从第一个E(pd)1出现到第一次韧皮部持续吸食）,烟粉虱在甘蓝和西葫芦上所考察的4个指标无显著差异; 在第三阶段（从第一次韧皮部持续吸食至记录结束）,烟粉虱在甘蓝上第一次韧皮部持续吸食后的刺探次数（4.73）显著低于在西葫芦上的刺探次数（13.40）。在自由状态下,烟粉虱60 min内在甘蓝、西葫芦和辣椒上留存粉虱的百分比分别为100％、88％和28％,这进一步验证了上述依据EPG记录得到的结果。     

Genetic differentiation of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotype Q based on mitochondrial DNA markers

In the present study, genetic differentiation of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype Q was analyzed based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mt COI) gene sequence. The results showed that B. tabaci biotype Q could be separated into two subclades, which were labeled as subclades Q1 and Q2. Subclade Q1 was probably indigenous to the regions around the Mediterranean area and subclade Q2 to Israel or Cyprus. It was because B. tabaci was composed of several genetically distinct groups with a strong geographical association between more closely related biotypes. Not all of the B. tabaci biotype Q in the non‐Mediterranean countries come from the same regions. Until now, all B. tabaci biotype Q in China were grouped into subclade Q1. The B. tabaci biotype Q introduced into the US included both subclades Q1 and Q2. The genetic structure analysis showed higher genetic variation of subclade Q1 than that of subclade Q2.     

Evaluation of the indigenous parasitoid Encarsia transvena (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) for biological control of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in greenhouses in India

The efficiency of the native parasitoid, Encarsia transvena Timberlake for the management of greenhouse whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) was studied in cages and a greenhouse in India. Parasitism by Enc. transvena of B. tabaci on Lycopersicon esculentum L. (tomato), Solanum melongena L. (eggplant) and Nicotiana tabacum L. (tobacco) was evaluated in cages to compare the utility of each species as potential banker plants. B. tabaci populations were consistently present on all three host plant species for almost two months providing sufficient hosts for parasitoid multiplication. Significantly more B. tabaci nymphs/unit leaf area were found on N. tabacum (77.7) and on S. melongena (76.5) than L. esculentum (45.9) in the initial growing period of the plants, that increased more on L. esculentum as the crops grew older. A greater proportion of B. tabaci were parasitised by Enc. transvena on L. esculentum than on N. tabacum and S. melongena. Rate of parasitism on L. esculentum was 25.19 and on N. tabacum was 24.70 in greenhouse. Parasitism, although occurring throughout greenhouses, was greatest on plants within 3 metres of introduced banker plants. The results suggest the utility of the three plant species as potential banker plants for the management of whiteflies in greenhouses.     

Host plants influence susceptibility of whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) to the entomopathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae)

We quantified the tritrophic effect of host plant on the susceptibility of the sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) to a fungal pathogen in the laboratory. Second-instar whiteflies reared on cucumber, eggplant, tomato and bean plants for six generations were exposed to conidial suspensions of Isaria fumosorosea isolate IF-1106. Our results did not detect differences in response (proportional survival or median lethal time, LT₅₀ days) among insect populations derived from different plants that were treated with 10⁷ conidia/ml. However, at concentrations ≤ 5×10⁶ conidia/ml, whiteflies reared on bean and tomato died significantly more quickly (i.e. LT₅₀ of 4–5 days) compared with cucumber and eggplant reared populations (5–7 days). Bean and tomato-reared populations were also more susceptible to mycosis (LC₅₀ ≈ 6 × 10⁵ conidia/ml) compared with those reared on cucumber (1.9 × 10⁶ conidia/ml) and eggplant (1.5 × 10⁶ conidia/ml). A separate study confirmed that this differential response of whitefly populations to I. fumosorosea was not explained by differences in deposition rate of conidia on leaf surfaces (i.e. a dosage effect). Our findings show that host plants affect the pathogenicity and virulence of a herbivore pathogen, but depend on the rate of exposure (inoculum) applied.     

Genetic diversity and geographic distribution of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) genotypes associated with cassava in East Africa

The genetic variability of whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) species, the vectors of cassava mosaic begomoviruses (CMBs) in cassava growing areas of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, was investigated through comparison of partial sequences of the mitochondria cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) DNA in 2010/11. Two distinct species were obtained including sub‐Saharan Africa 1 (SSA1), comprising of two sub‐clades (I and II), and a South West Indian Ocean Islands (SWIO) species. Among the SSA1, sub‐clade I sequences shared a similarity of 97.8–99.7% with the published Uganda 1 genotypes, and diverged by 0.3–2.2%. A pairwise comparison of SSA1 sub‐clade II sequences revealed a similarity of 97.2–99.5% with reference southern Africa genotypes, and diverged by 0.5–2.8%. The SSA1 sub‐clade I whiteflies were widely distributed in East Africa (EA). In comparison, the SSA1 sub‐clade II whiteflies were detected for the first time in the EA region, and occurred predominantly in the coast regions of Kenya, southern and coast Tanzania. They occurred in low abundance in the Lake Victoria Basin of Tanzania and were widespread in all four regions in Uganda. The SWIO species had a sequence similarity of 97.2–97.7% with the published Reunion sequence and diverged by 2.3–2.8%. The SWIO whiteflies occurred in coast Kenya only. The sub‐Saharan Africa 2 whitefly species (Ug2) that was associated with the severe CMD pandemic in Uganda was not detected in our study.     

A new host plant species for the cassava biotype of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hom., Aleyrodidae)

Abstract:  The cassava biotype of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is known to colonize cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz) whereas the sweet potato biotype colonizes various plant and weed species but not cassava. Both biotypes have Solanum melongena L. and Solanum aethiopicum L. as common host plant species. This study shows for the first time that both biotypes can successfully feed, survive and reproduce on a new host plant species, Nicotiana debneyi Domin. These findings have important implications for better understanding the disease epidemics, related to whitefly transmissible geminiviruses.     

Biotype and insecticide resistance status of Bemisia tabaci populations from Peninsular Malaysia

Bemisia tabaci, a resistance‐prone insect pest, is a cryptic species complex with important invasive biotypes such as B and Q. The biotype and resistance statuses of this pest in Malaysia remain unclear. This study assessed the biotype and resistance status of a number of contemporary populations of B. tabaci based on the mtCO1 marker and the dose‐response method, respectively. The Pahang (PHG) population was labelled as the Q biotype, while the remainder of the populations belonged to the Asia 1 biotype. A very low level of resistance for profenofos, cypermethrin, and imidacloprid was detected for all populations [resistance factor (RF) < 10]. Resistance to diafenthiuron ranged from very low to very high (RF > 100). All populations showed a very low level of resistance against pymetrozine except Q‐type PHG population, which exhibited a very high level of resistance. For most insecticides, the highest level of resistance was detected in the PHG population. The implications of these findings for better management of this noxious pest are discussed.     

喷施吲哚-3-乙酸 (IAA) 对番茄及其上B型烟粉虱的影响

【目的】不同植物生长调节物质对植食性昆虫产卵、发育、取食等常有促进或抑制作用,进而影响植物与昆虫的互作关系。本研究旨在阐明常用的植物生长调节剂吲哚-3-乙酸对B型烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)的影响,进而探索防治烟粉虱环境友好的方法,同时期望获得更加优质的烟粉虱用作替代寄主饲养寄生蜂。【方法】对番茄 Solanum lycopersicum L.植株外源喷施吲哚-3-乙酸(IAA),检测其生理生化的响应;记录B型烟粉虱存活率、产卵量并测量解毒酶等指标。【结果】喷施IAA后番茄叶片含水量略有上升,叶面积增大,叶绿素含量增加,过氧化物酶(POD)活性降低,多酚氧化酶(PPO)活性升高,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性变化不显著(P＞0.05)。喷施IAA后番茄上B型烟粉虱成虫存活率高于对照组,其中50 mg/L IAA番茄上B型烟粉虱成虫存活率和总产卵量最高,250 mg/L IAA存活率最低;喷施IAA 120 h后烟粉虱总产卵量升高;碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性较对照升高。【结论】喷施不同浓度的IAA溶液后,番茄植株的生理生化水平发生不同程度的改变,烟粉虱成虫的存活状况、产卵量以及体内解毒活性也会产生不同程度的改变。适宜剂量的IAA处理能够使烟粉虱的生存表现更加优异,从而为饲养寄生蜂提供优质的替代寄主。     

At least two indigenous species of the Bemisia tabaci complex are present in Brazil

Bemisia tabaci is one of the most important global agricultural insect pests, being a vector of emerging plant viruses such as begomoviruses and criniviruses that cause serious problems in many countries. Although knowledge of the genetic diversity of B. tabaci populations is important for controlling this pest and understanding viral epidemics, limited information is available on this pest in Brazil. A survey was conducted in different locations of São Paulo and Mato Grosso states, and the phylogenetic relationships of B. tabaci individuals from 43 populations sampled from different hosts were analysed based on partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 gene (mtCOI) sequences. According to the recently proposed classification of the B. tabaci complex, which employs the 3.5% mtCOI sequence divergence threshold for species demarcation, most of the specimens collected were found to belong to the Middle East‐Asia Minor 1 species, which includes the invasive populations of the commonly known B biotype, within the Africa/Middle East/Asia Minor high‐level group. Three specimens collected from Solanun gilo and Ipomoea sp. were grouped together and could be classified in the New World species that includes the commonly known A biotype. However, six specimens collected from Euphorbia heterophylla, Xanthium cavanillesii and Glycine maxima could not be classified into any of the 28 previously proposed species, although according to the 11% mtCOI sequence divergence threshold, they belong to the New World high‐level group. These specimens were classified into a new recently proposed species named New World 2 that includes populations from Argentina. Middle East‐Asia Minor 1, New World and New World 2 were differentiated by RFLP analysis of the mtCOI gene using TaqI enzyme. Taq I analysis in silico also differentiates these from Mediterranean species, thus making this method a convenient tool to determine population dynamics, especially critical for monitoring the presence of this exotic pest in Brazil.     

Effects of Tomato chlorosis virus on the performance of its key vector,Bemisia tabaci,in China

Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV), which is a newly emerged and rapidly spreading plant virus in China, has seriously reduced tomato production and quality over the past several years. In this study, the effect of ToCV on the demography of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci biotype Q (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), fed on infected and healthy tomato plants was evaluated using the age‐stage, two‐sex life table. When reared on ToCV‐infected tomato plants, the fecundity, length of oviposition period and female adult longevity of B. tabaci biotype Q decreased significantly, while the pre‐adult duration significantly increased compared to controls reared on healthy tomatoes. Consequently, the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite of increase (λ) of B. tabaci biotype Q on ToCV‐infected tomato plants significantly decreased compared to those on healthy tomatoes. Population projection predicted that a population of B. tabaci biotype Q fed on ToCV‐infected tomatoes increases slower than on healthy plants. These findings demonstrated that ToCV infection decreased the performance of B. tabaci biotype Q on tomato plants.     

Efficiency of some herbal pesticides on reproductive parameters of silverleaf whitefly,Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The silverleaf whitefly is one of the most important pests found commonly in Iran and in the world. The development of alternative methods instead of chemical applications is necessary in pest management for human health and environment protection. The objective of this research was to assess the effects of extracts of two medicinal plant species: Calotropis procera and Allium sativum, and a formulation containing azadirachtin on fecundity and fertility of the silverleaf whitefly, grown on greenhouse tomato plants. The effects were compared to that of pymetrozine, a synthetic insecticide. According to the results, there was a significant difference among treatments for all reproductive parameters. Gross fecundity rates for pesticides control, herbal extract control, C. procera extract, A. sativum extract, azadirachtin and pymetrozine were 184.75, 146.72, 80.11, 82.18, 63.06 and 55.96 eggs, respectively. These herbal extracts were effective against this pest and they can be the suitable choices for replacing these chemical insecticides.     

不同寄主植物对烟粉虱发育和繁殖的影响

研究了烟粉虱 B型 ( Bemisia tabaci Gennadius)在番茄、茄子、黄瓜和甘蓝上的发育、存活和繁殖情况。在 2 6± 1℃的条件下 ,烟粉虱从卵发育到成虫的存活率以在甘蓝上的最高 ,为 68.5 5 % ,黄瓜上的最低 ,为46.2 8% ;发育时间以在茄子上最短 ,为 1 7.5 d,黄瓜上最长 ,为 1 9.3d,差异显著 ;平均单雌产卵量以在甘蓝上最大 ,为 1 43粒 ,黄瓜上最小 ,为 98.2 5粒 ;成虫的寿命以在甘蓝上最长 ,平均为 2 5 .2 d,黄瓜上为 1 7.2 d;内禀增长率 rm以在茄子上的最大 ,为 0 .1 41 6,黄瓜上最小 ,为 0 .1 1 43。综合比较 4种不同寄主植物 ,茄子是烟粉虱种群生长发育和繁殖最适宜的寄主     

Temperature-dependent development models of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Q biotype on three host plants

Temperature-dependent development of the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), Q biotype was examined on three host plants (bell pepper, oriental melon, and eggplant) at nine temperatures (15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5, and 35 °C). Egg development time (least squares [LS]-mean ± LS-standard error [SE]) varied from 31.78 ± 0.29 days at 15 °C to 4.93 ± 0.25 days at 32.5 °C on bell pepper, from 21.27 ± 0.20 days at 17.5 °C to 4.02 ± 0.23 days at 32.5 °C on oriental melon, and from 26.92 ± 0.19 days at 15 °C to 5.14 ± 0.18 days at 30 °C on eggplant. Nymph development time (LS-mean ± LS-SE) varied from 76.54 ± 0.96 days at 15 °C to 12.96 ± 0.68 days at 27.5 °C on bell pepper, from 48.78 ± 0.38 days at 17.5 °C to 11.32 ± 0.38 days at 32.5 °C on oriental melon, and from 73.08 ± 1.23 days at 15 °C to 11.89 ± 0.70 days at 27.5 °C on eggplant. A non-linear relationship between developmental rate and temperature was described by the Taylor model, and developmental variation was described by the two-parameter Weibull function.