Seasonal Dynamics of the Sweet Potato Whitefly Bemisia tabaci Genn. (Homoptera, Aleyrodidae) in Tajikistan and Its Distribution among Plants

摘要

The list of host plants of the sweet potato whitefly in southern Tajikistan comprises 34 species. Dependence of the Bemisia tabaci population density on the altitude and remoteness from water basins, and the existence of consort association of this species with other pests (two-spotted spider mite, tarnish plant bug, and melon aphid) were demonstrated. The data obtained demonstrate that the sweet potato whitefly is able to spread rapidly over new territories and adapt to plants of local floras. Morethan 1200 whitefly species are known in the World fauna (Mound and Halsey, 1978). Most of them are tropical species, but about 400 species are associated with temperate zones (Strong et al., 1984). However, during the last twenty years, some species extended their range to northern regions. The example of the sweet potato whitefly Bemisia tabaci Gennadius is most striking. It is believed that this tropical species originates from India; at present, it is widespread in all the continents (Mound and Halsey, 1978). In Europe, its range reaches 45°N (France), where it breeds all the year round. To the north, in England, Poland, Sweden, and Norway, the sweet potato whitefly is found only in greenhouses.