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Research Project: Exotic Whitefly Pests of Vegetables and Ornamental Plants

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Title: Effect of buprofezin and Isaria fumosorosea against rugose spiraling whitefly, 2015

Author
item KUMAR, VIVEK - University Of Florida
item McKenzie, Cindy
item OSBORNE, LANCE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Arthropod Management Tests
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/2/2016
Publication Date: 7/12/2016
Citation: Kumar, V., McKenzie, C.L., Osborne, L.S. 2016. Effect of buprofezin and Isaria fumosorosea against rugose spiraling whitefly, 2015. Arthropod Management Tests. 41:G99. 2016. (Report)

Interpretive Summary: Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin, commonly known as gumbo limbo or rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW) is a new invasive pest of ornamentals and landscape plants in Florida. Endemic to Central America, it was reported for the first time in Florida from Miami-Dade County in 2009. Since then it has become an escalating problem for homeowners, landscapers, businesses, and governmental officials throughout the southern coastal counties of Florida. The current study was conducted with an objective to evaluate selected insecticides alone and in combination against this whitefly pest under natural field condition. Results showed that the combination of Talus (insect growth regulator, buprofezin) and PFR (entomopathogenic fungi, Isaria fumosorosea) was more effective on RSW life stages than PFR alone, and provided significant suppression in their population until 5-9 weeks after application of the treatment. No significant difference in the efficacy of the combination and Talus alone treatment was observed on any of the sampling weeks.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of selected insecticides alone or in combination against Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin, the rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW), a new invasive pest of ornamentals in Florida. The trial was conducted on an ornamental host, white bird of paradise, in field cages under natural conditions. RSW population varied greatly; however, significant reduction in whitefly numbers were observed in all the treatments compared to the untreated check. Overall, Talus alone (insect growth regulator, buprofezin) and its combination with PFR (entomopathogenic fungi, Isaria fumosorosea) was found to be the most effective treatment for control of RSW eggs, early instars and late instars. The combination of Talus and PFR significantly suppressed RSW life stages soon after application, and provided 63-97 percent reduction in eggs, 52-99 percent early instars and 61-93 percent in late instars during 10 week trial period. Talus alone treatment provided significant reduction in RSW eggs (5 weeks after treatment (WAT)), early instars (8 WAT) and late instars (9 WAT) compared to control. PFR alone was found to be the least effective against eggs, early instars and late instars among all the insecticides tested.