Effect of Fertilization on Morphometry of Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc) on Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) at Greenhouse Conditions.

The effect of four treatments on 'SUN-7705' tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) was evaluated on morphology of B. cockerelli (Sulc). Eggs, nymphs, and adults were raised on tomato plants in a greenhouse conditions at the Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo, Texcoco, Mexico. Adults were kept in individual boxes with wooden frames and organza covers at temperatures ranging from 10 to 40°C and photoperiod of 14:10 light:dark hours. Variables evaluated for egg morphometry were egg length (EL), egg width (EW), and pedicel length (PL). Variables measured for five nymphal instars were body length (BL), body width (BW), left antenna length (LAL), and right antenna length (RAL). Variables evaluated for adult morphometry were body length (BL), body width at the thorax (BWT), antennae length (ATN), wing length (WL), and wing width (WW). The effect of the different treatments on tomato significantly affected morphometric variables LP and AH of eggs. Significant and very significant differences were observed in morphometric variables LC, AC, LAI, and LAD of nymphs. Very significant differences were obtained in LC and ACT of B. cockerelli adult males. Results from morphometry of B. cockerelli have practical implications to help identify the five nymphal stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]