Since its first discovery in Jinchoen in 1998, three types of Bemisia tabaci have been recorded in the Repulic of Korea. Because B. tabaci damages the high-return produce such as eggplant and bell pepper, non-chemical methods are sought to control the B. tabaci populations. We studied the mating behaviors of Q-type B. tabaci by video-recording 20 virgin pairs using digital microscopes, of which 10 had a successful mating. The mating behaviors of Q-type males can be divided into searching, paralleling to female, mounting and wing-flicking stages, whereas those of females were almost motionless throughout the mating sequence. During the paralleling stage, males also exhibited antennal drumming and undulation behavior. B. tabaci is know to use vibratory signals during mating. To understand the frequency and function of vibratory signals, we are simultaneously video-recording mating behaviors and measuring vibratory signals by means of a laser vibrometer.

• Hyongyong An(Division of Ecoscience, Ewha university)
• Yikwon Jan(Division of Ecoscience, Ewha university)