Dynamics of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) attacking cotton in the coastal plain of Israel

Abstract

The dynamics of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) were followed during two years in treated and untreated cotton fields in three locations in Israel. Two parasite species, Encarsia lutea (Masi) and Eretmocerus mundus Merc., were the only important natural enemies, but percentage parasitism did not rise with increase in the host population. The whiteflies reached peak populations at the end of the summer. Their distribution upon the plants was not uniform, rather, they tended to concentrate on a few leaves. The leaf bearing the maximal population was the sixth or seventh until mid-July. From then on, its location was variable according to the growth pattern of the foliage. Insecticide treatments, in particular with aldicarb, resulted in depression of both whitefly and parasite populations, but neither was exterminated.