Development and survival of immature citrus blackfly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on twenty-three plant species.
Dowell R. V., Steinberg B.
Author Affiliation: Agricultural Research Center, Florida University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA.
Annals of the Entomological Society of America 72 : 721-724
Abstract : The authors determined survival and the number of degree-days required for development of immatures of Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, on 23 plant species. Only 7 plant species were theoretically capable of long-term support of a population of the insect, but only 5 Citrus spp., Clausena lansium (Wampi), Ardisia solanacea (Ardesia), Diospyros dygyna (black sapote) and Eugenia uniflora (Surinam cherry) did so in screen-room tests. The number of degree-days required for development did not vary significantly among the plant species tested and there was no significant correlation between this and percentage survival. Four plant species (Citrus spp., mango, Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian-pepper) and E. uniflora) constituted 97% of all host-plants surveyed in Broward County, Florida. Population numbers of Aleurocanthus woglumi are clearly influenced mostly by Citrus spp., while non-citrus hosts are important as refuges and in aiding dispersal.