Effects of different cucurbit species and temperature on selected life history traits of the 'B' biotype of Bemisia tabaci

The development time and survival rate were determined at three constant temperatures for the 'B' biotype of Bemisia tabaci on cucumber (Beit Alpha F₁), cantaloupe (Anzer F₁), squash (Sakiz F₁), and watermelon (Galactica F₁). The development time for immature stages at 20, 25 and 30 ± 1°C was, respectively, 33.5, 19.3 and 16.8 days on cucumber; 36.5, 20.8 and 19.60 days on cantaloupe; 37.2, 20.1 and 19.8 days on squash; and 38.9, 23.8 and 21.9 days on watermelon. At 20, 25 and 30°C, the respective percentage survival of immature instars was 73.2, 83.2 and 72.9% on cucumber; 72.9, 84.9 and 75.6% on cantaloupe; 52.1, 76.1 and 57.5% on squash; and 37.6, 64.8 and 40.1% on watermelon.