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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #278199
Title: Predation of the ficus whitefly, Singhiella simplex by the coccinellid beetle, Delphastus catalinae

Author
item Legaspi, Jesusa
item Miller, Neil
item MANNION, CATHARINE - University Of Florida
item AMALIN, DIVINA - Cocoa Foundation Of The Philippines

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/24/2012
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Ficus Whitefly (Singhiella simplex) was first reported in Miami-Dade County in August 2007. This invasive pest causes infested plants to exhibit leaf yellowing, followed by leaf drop. The pest has been recorded on multiple ficus hosts including Ficus benjamina, F. altissima, F. bengalensis, F. microcarpa, F. aurea, F. lyrata, and F. macllandii. Little information is known about its potential to be controlled by natural enemies currently present in Florida. We report on predation rates of the coccinellid predator Delphastus catalinae (adults and larvae) presented three life stages of ficus whitefly: eggs, small nymphs (2nd-3rd instars), and large nymphs (4th instar-pupae). We found that both adult and immature D. catalinae preyed on substantially more eggs than the small or large nymphs of the ficus whitefly in a 24-hr feeding period. Results from these studies will be used to develop future management strategies.