Population dynamics of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), in Java, Indonesia, with special reference to spatio‐temporal changes in the quantity of food resources

Six monitoring plots were established in the northern part of West Java, Indonesia, to clarify the factors that influence population fluctuations of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci . Yellow sticky traps were used to monitor adult populations. To examine the relationship between the population fluctuations and the quantity of food resources, the quantity of food resources of B. tabaci (i.e. soybean and mung bean) was also investigated routinely in each subdistrict where the experimental plot was located. The maximum number of adults per trap in each sowing season showed a similar noticeable seasonal trend in all experimental plots. Climatic factors did not have a major role to play in population fluctuations. The number of adults per trap in each experimental plot tended to increase when the quantity of food resources in each subdistrict increased. The changes of the quantity of food resources seemed to influence the population fluctuations. It is suggested that the operation of regulatory processes in population density is influenced largely by both the distance between habitat patches and the amplitude of temporal fluctuations of the quantity of food resources. An explanation for why the time lag between fluctuations of the quantity of food resources and the number of individuals of B. tabaci occurred is discussed. Based on their flight ability and intrinsic rate of natural increase, B. tabaci is considered not to be a serious pest in the environment where the host plants are grown discontinuously in time and space.