Development and survival of different generations of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on brinjal under north Indian conditions

Abstract

Annual life cycle of Bemisia tabaci was studied under screen house conditions at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab during 2019-20. The results revealed that B. tabaci completed 13 overlapping generations on brinjal in a year. The mean incubation period ranged between 3.60-23.70 days and egg hatchability varied from 80.18 to 95.0 per cent during different generations. The nymphal stage prolonged during winter months and mean duration of nymphal stage varied from 14.83 to 47.22 days during different months. The survival of nymphs ranged from 52.78 to 76.30 per cent, being higher during spring, rainy seasons and lower during summer, winter months. Total development period (egg to adult emergence) of B. tabaci varied from 19.38 to 65.30 days during different months. The mean generation survival ranged between 45.0 to 69.2 per cent and it was higher during spring and rainy season, whereas lower in summer and winter season generations. The multiple regression analysis revealed that different weather parameters contributed 37.0 to 63.0 per cent (R2) variations in survival of different generations of B. tabaci on brinjal. This study is the first report on annual life cycle of B. tabaci on brinjal under north Indian conditions.