Attractiveness and Oviposition Preference of Whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn) as Influenced by Leaf Trichomes Saad Khalid A1,*, Ali Abdallatif S M3, Salem Mansour2, Agbali Muna M2, Idris A B4 1Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Derna University, Al Qubah, Libya 2Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Omar Almukthar University, Libya 3Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Omar Almukthar University, Libya 4School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, National University Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia *Email: k.mustafa@uod.edu.ly (corresponding author): ORCID ID 0000-0002-5437-8768
Online Published on 31 August, 2024. Abstract This study evaluated the influence of leaf trichomes in cucumber, chili and brinjal on adult whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn) as regards their attractiveness and oviposition preference. Morphological observations revealed the presence of non-glandular trichomes on abaxial leaf surfaces. These were found distributed densely on brinjal leaves but sparsely on cucumber, while chilli did not have any trichomes. Significantly more abundant eggs and adults of B. tabaci were observed on brinjal leaves than on cucumber and chili. A clear preference for egg laying was observed with branches of brinjal leaves, at the base of the trichome stalk of cucumber; and in the form of incomplete circular patterns on chilli leaves. These results suggest that farmers should adopt mixed cropping taking into account the type and density trichome, as this impacts the preference of adult B. tabaci, and thereby support IPM. Top Keywords Bemisia tabaci, Trichome, Host plant, Oviposition, Attractiveness, Leaves, Eggs, Adults, Morphology, Leaf, Non-glandular trichomes, Abaxial surface, Distribution, Density, Brinjal, Cucumber, Chilli. Top |