ACYLSUGARS OF WILD TOMATO LYCOPERSICON-PENNELLII ALTERS SETTLING AND REDUCES OVIPOSITION OF BEMISIA-ARGENTIFOLII (HOMOPTERA, ALEYRODIDAE)

Acylsugars, the primary components of the exudate secreted by type IV trichomes of Lycopersicon pennellii (Corr.) D'Arcy LA716, mediate the resistance of this accession to silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifo lii Bellows & Perring, n. sp. Reduction in the settling of the adult s ilverleaf whiteflies correlates with the concomitant increase in appli ed acylsugars. Oviposition of B. argentifolii is also affected by acyl sugars, resulting in a reduction in the number of eggs and nymphs foun d: however, acylsugars do not affect hatching of nymphs. The threshold amount of acylsugars required for deterring settling and oviposition is below the amount of acylsugars (50-70 mu g/cm(2)) required for cont rol of other insects.