Have Distances Traveled by the Sweet Potato Whitefly Been Underestimated?

Abstract

The importance of the sweet potato whitefly to Arizona vegetable continues to ebb and flow from year to year. Over the last 25 years much of this likely is tied to the invasion by different strains. As we continue to study this insect, an aspect of importance to their management is their ability to disperse. In past studies we have determined how far they are capable of flying in a day’s time, 95% migrate 1.6 miles. We are now investigating their ability to fly multiple days. If they do migrate on more than 1 day, we must readjust our estimates of their influence on surrounding fields.