Development and Fitness of the Parasitoid, Encarsia formosa (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), on the B and Q of the Sweetpotato Whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Encarsia formosa Gahan is an important endoparasitoid of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius. In the present study, we compared the fitness and population parameters of E. formosa when parasitizing the two most invasive and destructive whitefly species in China, the B and Q of B. tabaci. We also studied whether natal host influenced on parasitism and host-feeding capacities of E. formosa on B. tabaci B versus Q. Age-stage life table analysis indicated that E. formosa developmental duration was shorter, fecundity was higher, and longevity was greater on B. tabaci B than on Q. The life table parameters, including the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (lambda), net reproduction rate (R-0), and the mean generation time (T), indicated that the fitness of E. formosa on B. tabaci B is higher than B. tabaci Q. We also found that the host species used to rear E. formosa affected the parasitoid's subsequent parasitism and host feeding on B. tabaci B and Q. When E. formosa were reared on B. tabaci B, its subsequent parasitism rate on third-instar nymphs was significantly higher on B. tabaci B than on Q. These results will be useful for managing the biological control of B. tabaci in the field.