Indian Journal of Entomology
Open Access
SCOPUSWeb of Science
  • Year: 2020
  • Volume: 82
  • Issue: 2

Off-season and carry over hosts of Bemisia tabaci in north India

1ICAR-National Centre for Integrated Pest Management, New Delhi, 110012

2Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012

ICAR-National Institute of Biotic Stress Management, Baronda, Raipur, 493225

*Email: yogeshyele13@gmail.com (corresponding author)

Online published on 21 July, 2020.

Abstract

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci adult population was surveyed in protected and open field crops in north Indian states during off-season months of winter 2016–17, to know the off-season survival and carry over hosts in its hotspot areas. Crops grown under protected cultivation viz. tomato, brinjal, cucumber and rose harbored significantly more adults than crops grown under open field conditions. Crops like potato and mustard in open fields support survival and provide breeding sites in off-season. Natural enemy activities are low in winter and allows sustained population buildup. These crops also act as carryover hosts providing the required inoculum for later seasons.

Keywords

Bemisia tabaci, off season, survey, carryover hosts, survival, population dynamics, protected and open fields, tomato, brinjal, cucumber, rose, potato, mustard