Environmental Entomology (1996) 25, 776-782

Wee L. Yee, Donald L. Hendrix, Nick C. Toscano, Chang Chi Chu and Thomas J. Henneberry (1996)
Diurnal field patterns of honeydew sugar secretion by Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) nymphs on cotton
Environmental Entomology 25 (4), 776-782
Abstract: Honeydew secretion by nymphal field populations of silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows and Perring, on cotton was documented during 10-, 14-, or 24-h periods in the Imperial Valley, California. Honeydew drops were collected on water-sensitive paper by placing 5th main stem node leaves inside open-ended plastic bags with strips of paper. Honeydew drops were also collected directly on open-ended plastic bags placed on leaves, and honeydew sugars were analyzed using gradient anion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography. No consistent diurnal patterns of honeydew drop secretion emerged, but on 1 of the 4 d drop numbers were higher in the morning (0500-1100 hours) than in the afternoon and evening (1500-1900 hours), and drops were collected throughout one 24-h period. On 3 of the 4 d, higher quantities of honeydew sugars were collected in the morning (0500 hours) than in the evening (1500-1900 hours). Quantities and percentages of honeydew sugars ranked as follows: trehalulose > melezitose > sucrose > fructose > glucose. This ranking, with minor exceptions, did not change during the day (0500-1900 hours). Trehalulose accounted for ~30% of the total sugar mass in the honeydew. Honeydew sugar secretion and composition did not show a clear or consistent relationship with either leaf water potentials or temperatures.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Chang Chi Chu, Wee L. Yee

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
damage/losses/economics
general biology - morphology - evolution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Bemisia tabaci biotype MEAM1	Cotton (Gossypium)	U.S.A. (SW)