Comparison of Biology and Reproductive Potential of Two Invasive Coconut Whiteflies, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin and Paraleyrodes bondari Peracchi through an Age-Stage, Two-Sex Life Table Approach
L. Gopianand *
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar - 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India.
C. Kathirvelu
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar - 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India.
R. Ayyasamy
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar - 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Two invasive species of whiteflies, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin and Paraleyrodes bondari Peracchi, have recently emerged as major pests of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.). Age-stage, two-sex life tables of these two whitefly species on coconut were compared to study their growth, development and reproductive characteristics. The results revealed that P. bondari exhibited a faster developmental time and longer oviposition period (11.46 ± 0.25 days), which resulted in higher values of net reproductive rate (R0 = 42.55 ± 4.71 offspring/individual), intrinsic rate of increase (r = 0.12 ± 0.01 per day), finite rate of increase (λ = 1.13 ± 0.01 per day), and gross reproduction rate (GRR = 56.18 ± 4.25 individuals/generation). Additionally, P. bondari had a lower mean generation time (T = 30.29 ± 0.19 days) when compared to A. rugioperculatus (T = 40.33 ± 0.21 days). The fecundity of P. bondari (72.94 ± 1.51 eggs/female) was significantly higher than that of A. rugioperculatus (53.81 ± 1.56 eggs/female). As a result, P. bondari exhibited a competitive advantage over A. rugioperculatus. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the bioecology of these two distinct invasive whitefly species, particularly in the context of interspecific competition within the same ecological niche.
Keywords: Bondar's nesting whitefly, demographic parameters, fecundity, rugose spiralling whitefly, whitefly, population projection