Greenhouse trials will be conducted to evaluate the performance and preference of the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B, on different poinsettia cultivars, Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch. Our ultimate goal is to identify potential tolerance/resistance traits that could be used for production of future cultivars. Plant susceptibility to B. tabaci will be compared among the cultivars in a choice and no-choice fashion. Adult landing and oviposition will be measured to assess preference of B. tabaci. Oviposition, egg survival, nymph developmental time, and survivorship will be measured to assess B. tabaci performance through the use of life tables. Plant parameters such as leaf expansion and area, dry matter weight, trichome density, and amino acid analyses will be performed to explain the potential differences in suitability among the poinsettia cultivars. Previous studies of host plant preference and the silverleaf whitefly performance on poinsettias demonstrated that the cultivars “Red Velvet”, “Freedom Red” and “Pepride” had the lowest whitefly survivorship for all life stages. However, these studies did not provide in depth analysis of plant responses. In addition, some of the cultivars previously tested are not currently in demand or are going to be phased out from the market in a few years, which make it imperative to identify potential tolerance/resistance traits in new cultivars. Potential implications include reduced use of pesticides, and increased compatibility with other tactics such as biological control.