Climate change and Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae): Impacts of increased temperature and carbon dioxide on life history

Climate change is relevant to all life.  A rise in ambient temperature and a rise in CO₂ due to climate change may have various impacts on arthropods such as shorter life cycles, increased reproduction, and altered distribution.  Climate change may produce insects that are more adapted to warmer temperatures, resulting in increased abundance and fitness.  A study was conducted to assess the effect of rising temperature, rising CO₂, and overwintering capacity on selected life history parameters of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, a global pest of numerous crops.  Experiments were performed in the laboratory and in the field.  Three populations of whiteflies were established for adaptation under three climate conditions (25, 28, and 33ºC).  Rate of oviposition, immature survival, adult body size, and plant quality were then compared for whitefly populations under different environmental conditions.  The data suggest that B. tabaci may be positively associated with climate change.  Also, body size was found to be significantly negatively correlated with increases in temperature.  This research aids in determining the impact that climate change imposes upon the life history of B. tabaci, and contributes to the growing body of information involving climate change and arthropods.