LIFE-HISTORY TRAITS OF CASTOR WHITEFLY, TRIALEURODES RICINI MISRA (HOM, ALEYRODIDAE), ON 8 HOST-PLANT SPECIES

The life history traits of the castor whitefly, Trialeurodes ricini, o n eight host plant species were evaluated. Number of eggs during a 48 h period, immature survival, development time, adult size and sex rati o were examined to determine host plant suitability. Significant diffe rences were found in oviposition rate among host plant species. Number of eggs was highest on aubergine, intermediate on potato, cotton and French bean, and lowest on melon, cucumber and tomato. Survival on hos ts ranked as follows: aubergine > cotton > pumpkin > French bean > pot ato. No individual survived to adult eclosion on melon, cucumber or to mato. For four of the eight plant species tested, there was an associa tion between ovipositional and survival rates. Host plant species had a significant effect on development time, adult size and sex ratio of T. ricini.