Neonic stewardship program for the management of the invasive Bemisia tabaci (MED) whitefly

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

Submitted to: Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/12/2018
Publication Date: 7/23/2018
Citation: Kumar, V., McKenzie, C.L., Osborne, L.S. 2018. Neonic stewardship program for the management of the invasive Bemisia tabaci (MED) whitefly[abstract]. Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting. p.36.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Bemisia tabaci is a polyphagous pest known to attack over 600 plant taxa and is an effective vector of more than 100 plant damaging viruses. Among different biotypes of this cryptic species complex, MEAM1 and Mediterranean MED whitefly are the two most destructive members posing threats of several crops of economic importance. With the overall goal to improve existing management strategies for MED whitefly and stewardship of neonicotinoid class of insecticide, greenhouse trials were conducted to evaluate available chemistries for whitefly control, and assess their compatibility with commercially available predator Amblyseius swirskii and parasitic wasp Eretmocerus eremicus. In our studies, eight different chemistries were evaluated including dinotefuran, a neonic insecticide considered growers’ standard for whitefly control. Results indicated that certain insecticides including cyantraniliprole, flupyradifurone, pyrifluquinazon, afidopyropen, and a premix- formulation of spinetoram and sulfoxaflor were effective against MED whitefly for over 5 weeks after a single application of the treatment. In addition, some of these chemistries were compatible with Amblyseius swirskii and Eretmocerus eremicus which could be integrated in the whitefly management program.