engleski

Electrical penetration graph (EPG) – promising tool for measuring feeding behaviour of Bemisia tabaci

Bemisia tabaci (Sweet potato whitefly) is one of the most important pests in greenhouse production systems worldwide. It causes great damage to vegetables at all stages of development. It is highly adaptable to new hosts and climatic conditions, which is why it has been found on 300 different hosts and reported from all over the world. B. tabaci belongs to the herbivorous hemipteran insects that penetrate plant tissue with their piercing-sucking mouthparts. They damage plants by depriving them of photosynthetic substances as they feed, by excreting large amounts of honeydew on which saprophytic fungi spoil leaves and fruits, and by transmitting yield-reducing viruses. Therefore, it is important to know the feeding habits and preferences of this pest. A useful tool for studying the feeding habits of sucking insects is the electrical penetration graph (EPG). In an EPG measurement, an electrical circuit is established between the plant and the insect when the insect contact the plant. Thus, using this method, it is possible to visualize the feeding behavior of hemipteran’s in real time. A good knowledge of insect-plant interactions is necessary to identify and evaluate resistant traits for selection in plant breeding programs. In our research we used tomato leaves, which were treated with clay and water to see the differences in feeding habits. We will present preliminary results of the EPG as a promising tool to measure the feeding behavior of B. tabaci. Our preliminary data will be used in future research on the feeding behavior of this important pest.

insect-plant interaction, sucking insects, feeding behavior, insect pest, Bemisia tabaci

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