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Relationship Between Some Environmental and Climatic Factors on Outbreak of Whiteflies, the Human Annoying Insects



Saghafipour A1 ; Zahraeiramazani A2 ; Vatandoost H2, 3 ; Asadollahi A2 ; Fouladifard R4 ; Hamta A5 ; Hasanwand A2
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Environmental Chemical Pollutants and Pesticides, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Research Center for Environmental Pollutants, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
  5. 5. Clinical Research Development Center (CRDU), Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran

Source: Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases Published:2020

Abstract

Background: The reports of numerous outbreaks of whiteflies from different parts of the world have increased its medical importance. The aim of this study was to determine relationship between environmental changes and climatic factors with the outbreak of the whitefly population in Tehran, the capital of Iran. Methods: This study was carried out in urban areas of Tehran, where the increasing population of whiteflies was reported frequently during 2018. In order to entrap the whiteflies, 20 yellow sticky cards smeared with white refined grease were installed on the trunks of the trees at twice per month as trapping time intervals. The captured flies were transferred and conserved in cans containing 70% alcohol and were counted accurately under a stereomicroscope. To determine the relationship between air quality index, precipitation, air temperature and air humidity as environmental and climatic factors with the abundance of whiteflies, change point analysis and Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) was used. Results: The most density of white flies per trap was 256.6 and 155.6 in early October and late September respectively. The number moved closer to zero from November to April. The population of whiteflies was inversely correlated with the level of air quality index (p= 0.99) and precipitation (p= 0.95), and it had a direct correlation with the high temperature. Also, the population of whiteflies had a direct correlation with the level of air humidity in the first half of the year Conclusion: According to these findings, during spring and summer from early May to early October. © 2020 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.