ARS | Publication request: Impact of Relative Humidity on Adult Weight and Size of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)

Submitted to: Undergraduate Research Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 3, 2009
Publication Date: October 9, 2009
Citation: Fernander, M., Simmons, A.M., Mahroof, R. 2009. Impact of Relative Humidity on Adult Weight and Size of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius). Undergraduate Research Symposium. Abstracts of the Annual Science and Engineering Research Conference, Allen University, Columbia, SC, October 9, 2009.

Technical Abstract: Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), sweetpotato whitefly, is a serious global sap-sucking insect pest that carries many infectious diseases when feeding on many types of crops. A study was conducted to determine the influence of relative humidity (RH) on body size and mass of B. tabaci. The B-biotype B. tabaci was reared on collards under treatments of 20, 50, and 85% RH, and at a constant temperature of 26°C. Results of the emerged adults indicate that the female whiteflies are longer and heavier than the males. The heaviest females were observed at 85% RH; the lightest females were found at the 20% RH treatment. The same trend was also observed for the males. This study indicates that size and weight performances of B. tabaci are favorable under the elevated humidity while it is adversely affected under a low humidity environment.