Survey of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in agricultural ecosystems in Georgia

Authors: McKenzie, Cindy; SPARKS, ALTON - University Of Georgia; ROBERTS, PHILLIP - University Of Georgia; OETTING, RON - University Of Georgia; OSBORNE, LANCE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Journal of Entomological Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/2/2019
Publication Date: 4/1/2020
Citation: McKenzie, C.L., Sparks, A.N., Roberts, P., Oetting, R., Osborne, L. 2020. Survey of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in agricultural ecosystems in Georgia. Journal of Entomological Science. 55(2):163-170. https://doi.org/10.18474/0749-8004-55.2.163.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18474/0749-8004-55.2.163

Interpretive Summary: Bemisia tabaci (Gennaduis) is a large cryptic whitefly species complex whose members are particularly invasive pests of hundreds of economically important commodities including cotton, vegetables and ornamental crops. MEAM1 (Middle Eastern Asia Minor 1 or biotype B) and MED (Mediterranean or biotype Q) whitefly were the primary targets for this Georgia survey of agricultural ecosystems. In response to grower concerns over extremely devastating whitefly population outbreaks across the southeast in 2016, a survey of field grown commodities was initiated to determine if MED had moved from protected agriculture (ornamental greenhouses) to the field. Seventy samples were collected from 19 crops across 23 counties in Georgia since 2011 with the bulk of the samples taken in 2016 and 2017. Only MEAM1 (Middle Eastern Asia Minor 1 or biotype B) were detected in all the field grown commodities sampled regardless of the year while MED was detected in commercial greenhouses. This survey serves as a baseline for Georgia in the event that MED whitefly are eventually detected in the field.

Technical Abstract: Bemisia tabaci (Gennaduis) is a large cryptic species complex whose members are particularly invasive pests of hundreds of economically important commodities including cotton, vegetables and ornamental crops. MEAM1 (Middle Eastern Asia Minor 1 or biotype B) and MED (Mediterranean or biotype Q) whitefly were the primary targets for this Georgia survey of agricultural ecosystems. Seventy samples were collected from 19 crops across 23 counties in Georgia since 2011 with the bulk of the samples taken in 2016 and 2017. Five whitefly samples were collected in both 2011 and 2012 representing nine counties and six different host plants (verbena, lantana, peppers, cucumbers and poinsettia). No whitefly samples were submitted in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Overall, cotton was the most heavily sampled commodity (27) followed by six samples each of poinsettia, peanut, pepper, and squash. Other crops sampled included soybean, cowpea, corn, snap bean, verbena, lantana, cucumber, zucchini, kale, tomato, sweet potato, eggplant, melon, ornamental pepper, and chrysanthemums. MED (Mediterranean or biotype Q) whitefly of the Bemisia tabaci cryptic species complex was detected on verbena/lantana in 2011 and on poinsettia in 2012 at commercial greenhouses. Only MEAM1 (Middle Eastern Asia Minor 1 or biotype B) were detected in all the field grown commodities sampled regardless of the year. This survey serves as a baseline for Georgia in the event that MED whitefly are eventually detected in the field.