Seasonal Dynamics and Spatial Distribution of Cotton Whitefly Beimisia tabaci on Fall Cucumber in Mollasani Area- Kuzestan Province

Cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci is considered as one of the most important pests of fall cucumber in Khouzestan province. Studies were conducted to examine the seasonal dynamics and spatial distribution of B.tabaci on fall cucumber during 2006 and 2007 in Mollasani area. In both years, adult whiteflies first appeared on the plants in early September. In 2006 and 2007, mean maximum of adults occurred on 15th of September (58 adults / leaf) and 7th of September (25 adults/ leaf), respectively. In the above mentioned years, the mean maximum of eggs was found on 15th of September (134 eggs/ 2cm2 leaf) and 7th of September (92 eggs/ 2cm2 leaf). Likewise the mean maximum numbers of nymphs in 2 cm2 were 81 and 39 nymphs on 15th of September and 7th of September, respectively. In the aforementioned years, the mean maximum pupae were counted on 20th of September (2.3 pupae/2cm2 leaf) and 14th of September (1.4 pupae/ 2cm2 leaf), respectively. The population of all developmental stages reached zero in the beginning of November. The results of this study have applications for integrated management of cotton whitefly.