Mortality Factors Affecting Whitefly Populations in Arizona Cotton Management Systems: Life Table Analysis

Abstract

Direct-observation studies were conducted in replicated experimental plots to identify causes and estimate rates of mortality of whiteflies in cotton over the course of six generations from late June through late October. In plots receiving no whitefly or Lygus insecticides, predation and dislodgment were major sources of egg and nymphal mortality, and overall survival from egg to adult ranged from 0-18.2%. Similar patterns were observed in plots treated with the insect growth regulator (IGR) Knack. Applications of the IGR Applaud or a mixture of endosulfan and Ovasyn caused high levels of small nymph mortality and reduced rates of predation on nymphs during the generation immediately following single applications of these materials in early August. Whitefly populations declined to very low levels by mid-August in all plots, and few differences were observed in patterns of whitefly mortality among treated and control plots 4-6 weeks after application. The population crash was associated with an unknown nymphal mortality factor which reduced immature survivorship during this first posttreatment generation to zero. The application of insecticides for control of Lygus in subplots modified patterns of mortality in all whitefly treatments by generally reducing mortality from predation during generations observed from mid-July through August. Parasitism was a very minor source of mortality throughout and was unaffected by whitefly or Lygus insecticides.