Behaviour of Bemisia tabaci on host plants
The host-plant related behaviour of Bemisia tabaci (EPPO A2 pest) was studied in Israel. Studied were the long-distance attraction of B. tabaci to melon vs. cotton plants, to infested vs. uninfested leaves as well as time and number of eggs laid on the leaves.
It was observed that no long-distance attraction occurred in the experiments. Whiteflies remained about three days on the leaf of emergence and moved up to a higher leaf after laying some eggs on the leaf of emergence. Previous oviposition did not affect the egglaying on the same leaf.
Sources
Gerling, D.; Lindenbaum, M. (1991) Host-plant related behaviour of Bemisia tabaci.
WPRS Bulletin 14(5), 83-88.