Impact of pymetrozine on Bemisia tabaci (MED whitefly) and Amblyseius swirskii, 2017

Authors: KUMAR, VIVEK - University Of Florida; KAKKAR, GARIMA - University Of Florida; McKenzie, Cindy; OSBORNE, LANCE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Arthropod Management Tests
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/25/2017
Publication Date: 12/8/2017
Citation: Kumar, V., Kakkar, G., McKenzie, C.L., Osborne, L.S. 2017. Impact of pymetrozine on Bemisia tabaci (MED whitefly) and Amblyseius swirskii, 2017. Arthropod Management Tests. 42:G tsx129. 2pp. 2017. (Report)

Interpretive Summary: Bemisia tabaci is a group of several whitefly species which cannot be distinguished by the naked eye, and among different members of this group, Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) (B biotype)and Mediterranean (MED) (Q biotype) are considered the two most destructive pests of a wide range of crops including vegetables, ornamentals and fibers. Through this study, we are trying to develop an eco-friendly pest management strategy for the MED whitefly, by integrating a commercially available predator (Amblyseius swirskii) in the existing management practices being used by the growers. Weekly samplings showed overlapping generations of Amblyseius swirskii on host plants in combination treatment (Amblyseius swirskii plus pymetrozine) throughout the study period indicating foliar application of pymetrozine at the applied rates was compatible with Amblyseius swirskii. Pymetrozine alone was not consistent in suppressing MED whitefly life-stages during different sampling weeks. Suppression of various stages of whitefly in plots treated with mites (only) was higher than the pymetrozine alone treated plots and comparable to the combination plots. Results showed that the swirskii mite alone or in combination with pymetrozine can be an efficient alternative to neonicotinoid class of insecticide frequently used by the growers for the whitefly control.

Technical Abstract: Bemisia tabaci is a polyphagous pest known to feed upon over 900 plant taxa, and is an effective vector of more than 100 plant damaging viruses. Among different biotypes of this cryptic species complex, Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED) whitefly are the two most destructive members posing threats of several crops of economic importance. With the overall goal to integrate the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii in the management program of MED whitefly, the specific objective of this study was to evaluate pymetrozine, a pyridine azomethine derivative for whitefly control, and assess its compatibility with swirskii mite. The trial was conducted on an ornamental host, salvia under greenhouse conditions. No significant difference in Amblyseius swirskii abundance (eggs and motiles) between mite treated and combination plots (Amblyseius swirskii plus cyantraniliprole) were reported on any of the sampling weeks. Pymetrozine alone was not consistent in suppressing MED whitefly life-stage. Amblyseius swirskii provided higher suppression in whitefly life-stages than the pymetrozine treatment, and were as effective as combination treatment throughout the study period. Overall whitefly mortality in different treatments ranged between 85 and 97% for Amblyseius swirskii, 18-58% for pymetrozine, and 95-100% for combination treatments.