Crowder, D.W., Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, 410 Forbes Bldg., Tucson, AZ 85721, United States, Department of Entomology, Washington State University, FSHN 166, Pullman, WA 99164, United States
Rami Horowitz, A., Department of Entomology, Agricultural Research Organization, Gilat Research Center, M.P. Negev 85280, Israel
De Barro, P.J., CSIRO Entomology, 120 Meiers Road, Indooroopilly, Qld 4068, Australia
Liu, S.-S., Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
Showalter, A.M., Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, 410 Forbes Bldg., Tucson, AZ 85721, United States, Department of Zoology, Miami University, 212 Pearson Hall, Oxford, OH 45056, United States
Kontsedalov, S., Department of Entomology, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Khasdan, V., Department of Entomology, Agricultural Research Organization, Gilat Research Center, M.P. Negev 85280, Israel, Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva 84105, Israel
Shargal, A., Department of Entomology, Agricultural Research Organization, Gilat Research Center, M.P. Negev 85280, Israel
Liu, J., Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
Carrière, Y., Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, 410 Forbes Bldg., Tucson, AZ 85721, United States

1. Negative interspecific interactions, such as resource competition or reproductive interference, can lead to the displacement of species (species exclusion). 2. Here, we investigated the effect of life history, mating behaviour and adaptation to insecticides on species exclusion between cryptic whitefly species that make up the Bemisia tabaci species complex. We conducted population cage experiments independently in China, Australia, the United States and Israel to observe patterns of species exclusion between an invasive species commonly referred to as the B biotype and three other species commonly known as biotypes ZHJ1, AN and Q. 3. Although experimental conditions and species varied between regions, we were able to predict the observed patterns of exclusion in each region using a stochastic model that incorporated data on development time, mating behaviour and resistance to insecticides. 4. Between-species variation in mating behaviour was a more significant factor affecting species exclusion than variation in development time. Specifically, the ability of B to copulate more effectively than other species resulted in a faster rate of population increase for B, as well as a reduced rate of population growth for other species, leading to species exclusion. The greater ability of B to evolve resistance to insecticides also contributed to exclusion of other species in some cases. 5. Results indicate that an integrative analysis of the consequences of variation in life-history traits, mating behaviours and adaption to insecticides could provide a robust framework for predicting species exclusion following whitefly invasions. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 British Ecological Society.