Model selection and averaging in the estimation of population parameters of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) from stage frequency data in sweet pepper plants

Abstract

9Bemisia tabaci is a significant pest for many crops, but there are few population studies of this 10 insect on sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum). In this study, stage frequency data were generated with 11 B. tabaci in sweet pepper plants in various situations, and the Bellows and Birley method was used 12 to obtain population parameters from the data. The Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) was used to 13 select the best option of the Bellows and Birley method and, in some cases, to estimate the 14 parameters of the population using model averaging. The ratios estimated/observed for each 15 population parameter were calculated to assess bias and were used to correct the estimations if the 16 ratios were different from 1. The effects of different factors on the estimations of population 17 parameters were analysed. The total duration of development was affected by the experimental 18 conditions (laboratory vs. greenhouse) and temperature, but it had the highest precision. The final 19 survival rate was affected by temperature, and the estimation of individuals entering each stage was 20 affected only by the options included in the Bellows and Birley method. AIC helped to detect 21 differences in the daily survival rate among the different experiments between N1 (first instar) 22 (range 0.842-0.923), and the egg (range 0.989-1.0) and N4 (fourth instar) (0.990). The methodology 23 used can be employed in field population studies. For example, the final survival rate in the 24 2 greenhouse experiments varied between 0.624 and 0.097, depending on if the parasitoids were 25 present or not, and the total development varied between 420.6 and 440.7 degree-days. 26 27

Modelling the potential distribution of Bemisia tabaci in Europe in light of the climate change scenario

“…Biodemographic parameters for B. tabaci MEAM1 were obtained from available literature on life history studies . Most references considered a dependence of life history traits on temperature as well as on host plant.…”

Genome‐wide identification of neuropeptides and their receptor genes in Bemisia tabaci and their transcript accumulation change in response to temperature stresses

“…B. tabaci is a serious pest worldwide (Oliveira et al ., 2001; González‐Zamora & Moreno, 2010; De Barro et al ., 2011; Valle et al ., 2012; Liu et al ., 2015), and most current whitefly population management methods are unsatisfactory (He et al ., 2007; Ahmad et al ., 2010; Liang et al ., 2012; Zheng et al ., 2012). The use of neurological insecticides may represent a new approach for pest management (Audsley & Down, 2015).…”

“…Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is distributed in tropical, subtropical and some temperate regions of the world. It is an insect pest (Oliveira et al ., 2001; González‐Zamora & Moreno, 2010; De Barro et al ., 2011; Valle et al ., 2012) with a wide host plant range. B. tabaci damages crops by direct feeding and by transmitting viral diseases.…”