The development (egg-adult) of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) B-biotype (=Bemisia argentifolii, Bellows & Perring), was studied in field conditions and in incubators at constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35±1ºC), using soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, Msoy 8001, as host plant. The temperatures threshold (Tb) and the thermal constant (K) for egg, nymph and life cycle (egg-adult) were 11.1ºC / 98.8 degree-days; 6.8ºC / 383.8 degree-days and 8.3ºC / 472.6 degree-days, respectively. At the temperatures of 15ºC and 35ºC, insect viability was smaller. In the field, 70% of the adults emerged after 413,2 degree-day were accumulated. The degree-day pattern used was adequate for the previewing Bemisia tabaci B-biotype adult occurrence in field, and it can also be used to determine the number of generations in different areas of the country.
Bemisia argentifolii; whitefly; degree-day; temperature; Glycine max; soybean
