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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #300600
Title: Preference of Gossypium genotypes to Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Author
item Meagher, Robert - Rob
item SMITH, WAYNE - Texas A&M University
item SMITH, WENDY - Texas A&M University

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/4/1977
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: Meagher Jr, R.L., Smith, W.C., Smith, W.J. 1997. Preference of Gossypium genotypes to Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 90(4):1046-1052.

Interpretive Summary: Several Gossypium species and genotypes were evaluated by scientists at the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Center for Medical, Veterinary and Agricultural Entomology in Gainesville, Florida, in field and greehouse tests in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, for preference to the whitefly. Genotypes with G.hirsutum, G. barabadense, G. herbaceum, and G. arboreum were examined, including commercial and obsolete cultivars,(cultivars that are no longer commercially produced), and modern and diploid genotypes. These genotypes possessed different leaf shapes, pubescence, and foliage color. Field results showed that the highest whitefly populations were on 'Stonevillle 453' and the modern gentoype 89F46h. The lowest populations were on the obsolete 'Lone Star' and genotypes 88G104 and 'MACAOS'. Greenhouse choice bioassays indicated that several genotypes from G. hirsutum had lower egg or nymph numbers than 'Deltapine 50', including Lone Star, MACAOS, 88G104, and 89E62. Greenhouse bioassays appeared to provide information comparable to field testing, at least for whitefly oviposition. Therefore, in preliminary screening tests where cotton seed is in short supply or certain genotypes cannot be incorporated into field testing, greehouse bioassays can offer a complementary method.

Technical Abstract: Several Gossypium species and genotypes were evaluated by in field and greehouse tests in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, for preference to the whitefly. Genotypes with G.hirsutum, G. barabadense, G. herbaceum, and G. arboreum were examined, including commercial and obsolete cultivars,(cultivars that are no longer commercially produced), and modern and diploid genotypes. These genotypes possessed different leaf shapes, pubescence, and foliage color. Field results showed that the highest whitefly populations were on 'Stonevillle 453' and the modern gentoype 89F46h. The lowest populations were on the obsolete 'Lone Star' and genotypes 88G104 and 'MACAOS'. Greenhouse choice bioassays indicated that several genotypes from G. hirsutum had lower egg or nymph numbers than 'Deltapine 50', including Lone Star, MACAOS, 88G104, and 89E62. Greenhouse bioassays appeared to provide information comparable to field testing, at least for whitefly oviposition. Therefore, in preliminary screening tests where cotton seed is in short supply or certain genotypes cannot be incorporated into field testing, greehouse bioassays can offer a complementary method.