Bioecology of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on tomato crop in the oases of the arid region El Oued  Algeria

Azzeddine Haddad; Ahmed Mehda; Nacer Tarai

Bioecology of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on tomato crop in the oases of the arid region El Oued Algeria

Azzeddine Haddad

, Ahmed Mehda

, Nacer Tarai

Abstract: The El Oued region is known for its large tomato production. However, the whitefly is an intimidating pest of this crop, which causes considerable economic damage. The bioecology of this scourge is the subject of a study carried out in three stations: Hassi Khalifa, Magrane, and Guemar in 2022 and 2023. The number of adults of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) highest on the tomato variety Sahara (at Magrane station is 15.61 ± 0.12 individuals/plant. It is 11.20 ± 0.21 individuals/plant on the Dawson tomato variety. The lowest number, is 0.31 ± 0.62 per Sahara plant is counted, and 0.02 ± 0.43 individuals/plant on the Dawson variety. A negative correlation with temperatures exceeding 30°C and a weak positive correlation with adults and strong with larvae have been recorded. The Sahara variety presents more sensitivity to attacks by B. tabaci while the Dawson variety seems not appreciated by this pest.

Keywords: arid; Bemisia tabaci; Bioecology; El-Oued; pests; Tomato

Citation: Haddad, A., Mehda, A. & Tarai, N. (2025). Bioecology of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on tomato crop in the oases of the arid region El Oued – Algeria. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 31(2), 334–340.

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Date published: 2025-04-28

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