[Aim]  To clarify the sensitivity of MED Bemisia tabaci populations on different host plants, and in different parts of Jiangsu Province, to commonly used insecticides. [Methods]  The toxicity of two commonly used insecticides, abamectin and thiamethoxam, to adult MED B. tabaci in Jiangsu Province was determined using the feeding method. [Results]  The toxicity of 1.8 % abamectin to MED B. tabaci was 30 % greater than that of thiamethoxam on three host plants in southern, central and northern Jiangsu. The Wuxi population in southern Jiangsu was more sensitive to abamectin and thiamethoxam than the Yangzhou population in central Jiangsu, or the Xuzhou population in northern Jiangsu. Populations on kidney beans were more susceptible to abamectin and thiamethoxam than those on tomato and cucumber crops in all three regions. [Conclusion]  MED B. tabaci populations in Jiangsu Province are more susceptible to abamectin than thiamethoxam and the susceptibility of MED B. tabaci to these pesticides can be affected by both the host plant and the local environment. These results suggest that abamectin should be used in rotation with neonicotinoid pesticides to control MED B. tabaci.