Characterization ofBemisia(Hom., Aleyrodidae) from the Lesser Antilles by electrophoresis

For several years, whiteflies of the genusBemisia(Hom., Aleyrodidae) have caused major damage to vegetable crops in the Lesser Antilles, and have revealed new symptoms. The genetic characterization of the populations involved was attempted using esterases polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Most of the individuals analysed showed an identical enzymatic profile, which also appears to be similar to the profile ofBemisia argentifolii(Bellows and Perring) described in the United‐States. However, the individuals collected onJatropha gossypifolia(L.) were different, and matched the N biotype ofBemisia tabaci(Gennadius) known in Puerto Rico.