Bemisia argentifolii

Bellows & Perring, 1994

Silverleaf whitefly, Sweetpotato whitefly (B biotype)

Bemisia argentifolii, described by Bellows & Perring in 1994, is a belonging to the Bemisia tabaci . It is a significant agricultural pest known for causing silverleafing in squash, transmitting viruses, and developing to multiple . The species has been documented on over 900 plants including vegetables, ornamentals, and fiber . It is frequently associated with greenhouse and protected environments but also occurs in open field agriculture in tropical and subtropical regions.

Habitat

Occurs in greenhouse and protected environments, particularly for ornamentals and vegetable production. Also found in open field agriculture in tropical and subtropical regions. Documented on chrysanthemums in greenhouse settings in Tanzania, on poinsettias in retail and greenhouse environments, and on vegetable including cantaloupe, collard, cucumber, and tomato in field settings.

Distribution

Widespread globally in tropical and subtropical regions. Documented occurrences include: United States (Arizona, California, Florida, South Carolina, coastal areas), Tanzania (first record in Arusha region), Japan (greenhouse tomatoes), Italy (central Italy on weeds), and various Pacific and Caribbean islands including Galápagos Islands, Reunion, Guadeloupe, and Martinique. Represents the northern geographic limit of yearround field in coastal South Carolina in the eastern United States.

Seasonality

increase in spring through summer and peak again in fall. Yearround activity occurs in tropical and subtropical regions where conditions permit. In temperate regions, seasonal activity is limited by cold temperatures, with 0°C and 4°C chilling significantly increasing mortality of and .

Diet

Phloemfeeding; extracts sugar-rich sap from vascular tissue. Feeds on over 900 documented host plant .

Host Associations

Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora) - primary - greenhouse cut flower production in TanzaniaDocumented for establishment and
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) - ornamental Common holiday in retail and greenhouse settings
Squash and cucurbits - agricultural Induces characteristic silverleafing ; associated with virus transmission
Tomato - agricultural Greenhouse and field ; significant vegetable pest
Cotton - agricultural Major pest in Arizona and other cottongrowing regions
Cantaloupe, collard, cucumber - agricultural Field documented in studies
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis - ornamental documented on this
Various weeds - wild Documented preference and performance on weeds in central Italy

Life Cycle

with four stages: , (four ), (fourth instar/ ), and adult. Eggs are laid on undersurfaces of leaves. Firstinstar nymphs () are mobile and disperse to locate feeding sites. Subsequent nymphal instars become , remaining fixed in place for feeding. The fourth instar functions as the pupal stage, with red visible shortly before adult . Shed pupal skins remain attached to leaves. Development time and survival vary with and temperature.

Behavior

First () exhibit positive , moving toward light sources to aid in location and leaf selection for settlement. are attracted to green light. When disturbed, adults flutter from leaf surfaces. Feeding occurs primarily on undersurfaces of leaves. Distribution within plants shifts based on plant age and prior exposure to chilling stress, with adults and typically on youngest (highest) leaves on non-stressed plants but moving to lower leaves on chilled plants.

Ecological Role

Agricultural pest causing direct damage through phloem feeding and indirect damage through that supports growth. of at least 111 viruses including criniviruses (Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus, Cucumber stunting disorder virus). Serves as for multiple including Eretmocerus spp. and Encarsia spp. (E. nigricephala, E. pergandiella, E. strenua, E. quaintancei). Subject to by parasitoids and predatory .

Human Relevance

Major economic pest of agricultural and ornamental . Causes substantial losses in greenhouse production of poinsettias, chrysanthemums, and vegetables. Responsible for significant damage to field crops including cotton, vegetables, and . Development of (including neonicotinoids and bifenthrin) complicates management. Subject to programs combining selective , agents, and cultural practices. of regulatory concern for international trade. Target of robotic suction machine development in Japan for greenhouse tomato production.

Similar Taxa

Bemisia tabaci (sensu stricto or other cryptic species in complex)Morphologically indistinguishable; B. argentifolii is part of the B. tabaci containing at least 24 cryptic . Distinguished by genetic, behavioral, and related characteristics including ability to induce silverleafing in squash.
Trialeurodes vaporariorum (greenhouse whitefly)Cooccurs on greenhouse including poinsettias; distinguished by puparial characteristics and lack of silverleafing in .
Aleurodicus rugioperculatus (rugose spiraling whitefly)Another pest in Florida; distinguished by puparial with characteristic waxy secretions.