Abstract Oviposition, development and survivorship of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) were evaluated on soybean and garden bean under laboratory conditions of 26.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C, 70 - 80% RH and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D). B. tabaci deposited more eggs and survivorship of nymphs was significantly greater in a choice-test on soybean, Glycine max L. (Merr.) (Fabeles: Fabaceae), compared to the garden bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. Overall developmental time from egg to adult eclosion was longer on garden bean than on soybean. Also, B. tabaci was more fecund and long-lived on soybean compared to garden bean. Demographic parameters calculated from life tables on the two bean species indicate that soybean is a better host plant for B. tabaci than garden bean.