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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Maricopa, Arizona » U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center » Pest Management and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #237501

Title: Population Dynamics, Demography, Dispersal and Spread of Bemisia tabaci

Author
item Naranjo, Steven
item Castle, Steven
item DEBARRO, P.J. - CSIRO ENTMLGY/INDOOROOPIL
item LIU, S.S. - ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Bemisia: Bionomics and Management of a Global Pest
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2010
Publication Date: 5/30/2010
Citation: Naranjo, S.E., S. J. Castle, P. J. De Barro, and S. S. Liu. 2010. Population Dynamics, Demography, Dispersal and Spread of Bemisia tabaci. pp. 185-226. In Bemisia: Bionomics and Management of a Global Pest, P. A.Stansly, S. E. Naranjo (eds.). Springer Dordrecht-Heidelberg-London-New York.

Interpretive Summary: Bemisia tabaci is an insect pest of global significance. It attacks multiple crops and causes damage through feeding and transmission of plant viruses. This review focuses on the current state of knowledge of the population dynamics, demography and dispersal of this important pest. Sampling methods and plans have been developed and refined for multiple crops throughout the world. Laboratory studies have measured life history characteristics (survival, development, reproduction) on at least 51 different host plants but field-based life tables (schedules of mortality and reproduction) have been completed on relatively few crop plants, the most well-studied being cotton. Collectively, this life tables demonstrate that B. tabaci is subject to high rates of mortality (>90%) on many crops. The insect readily disperses among host crops and many of the factors influencing flight are understood as are the seasonal cycle of populations. However, relatively little is known about how movement affects local and regional population dynamics. B. tabaci is highly invasive and has colonized many areas of the world. We are now beginning to understand the underlying biology and ecology that drives the invasion process. We also better understand the multiple factors that contribute to population outbreaks of this pest and how they might be better managed

Technical Abstract: Bemisia tabaci is an insect pest of global significance. It attacks multiple crops and causes damage through feeding and transmission of plant viruses. This review focuses on the current state of knowledge of the population dynamics, demography and dispersal of this important pest. Sampling methods and plans have been developed and refined for multiple crops throughout the world. Laboratory studies have measured life history characteristics (survival, development, reproduction) on at least 51 different host plants but field-based life tables (schedules of mortality and reproduction) have been completed on relatively few crop plants, the most well-studied being cotton. Collectively, this life tables demonstrate that B. tabaci is subject to high rates of mortality (>90%) on many crops. The insect readily disperses among host crops and many of the factors influencing flight are understood as are the seasonal cycle of populations. However, relatively little is known about how movement affects local and regional population dynamics. B. tabaci is highly invasive and has colonized many areas of the world. We are now beginning to understand the underlying biology and ecology that drives the invasion process. We also better understand the multiple factors that contribute to population outbreaks of this pest and how they might be better managed