[Objectives]  The selectivity of Q-biotype Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) for different varieties of tobacco and the correlation between plant trichome density and host selection were investigated, with the objective of providing a theoretical foundation for screening insect-resistant tobacco varieties and management of this pest. [Methods]  Tests to determine the relative host plant preferences and developmental duration of Q-biotype B. tabaci with respect to tobacco plants with different trichome densities were performed under controlled conditions. [Results]  Host preferences, adult oviposition topotaxis and egg-adult developmental duration were significantly different on different tobacco varieties. Trichome density was significantly correlated with adult host preference and the number of eggs laid. Among the eight tobacco varieties tested, B. tabaci exhibited the highest preference for ‘CF225’and ‘CF226’, which had the highest trichome density, suggesting that these two varieties had low resistance to B. tabaci. B. tabaci displayed the least preference for ‘Yunyan117’and ‘K326 (C8)’ which had the lowest trichome density, implying that these two varieties were more resistant to B. tabaci. [Conclusion]  Breeding tobacco varieties with fewer trichomes could improve their resistance to Q-biotype B. tabaci. The results provide a reference for breeding insect-resistant tobacco varieties.