Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) management program for ornamental plants

Authors: KUMAR, VIVEK - University Of Florida; Ahmed, Muhammad; PALMER, CRISTI - Rutgers University; McKenzie, Cindy; OSBORNE, LANCE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS)
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/9/2021
Publication Date: 10/5/2021
Citation: Kumar, V., Ahmed, M.Z., Palmer, C., Mckenzie, C.L., Osborne, L.S. 2021. Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) management program for ornamental plants. Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS). https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1171.

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, MEAM1 (B biotype) and MED (Q biotype) are considered the two most destructive pests of a wide range of crops including vegetables, ornamentals and fibers. Owing to their polyphagous nature and damage potential to nursery and greenhouse production, they inflict millions of dollars loss annually. Bemisia whitefly can reduce yield and/or the aesthetic or economic value of the plants directly by using them as food and oviposition site, and indirectly by transmitting plant damaging viruses. Considering the potential economic impact of B. tabaci on ornamental growers, in this extension article we present a management program for both B and Q biotypes. This program does not require a pesticide application when the first whitefly adult is detected. However, it does outline steps to manage and maintain whitefly populations throughout the initial propagation and active growth stages at levels to minimize the whitefly numbers on the final plant material being shipped.

Technical Abstract: Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) commonly known as silverleaf whitefly, is a polyphagous pest considered to be one of the most notorious invasive arthropods worldwide. The pest status of B. tabaci is complicated because of their well debated taxonomic architecture which was previously identified to consist 36 “biotypes ” and now been proposed as 24 discrete morphologically indistinguishable species. The two most invasive members of this cryptic species complex posing the greatest threat to growers are Middle East/Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED) commonly known as biotypes B and Q, respectively. Considering the large host range and the damage potential of the two biotypes for the ornamental industry in the US, in this article we present a systems approach for managing both B and Q biotypes. Here, we outline steps to be taken by the growers at the different stages of plant growth before it is ready to be shipped. In the purview of recent reports of Q whitefly invasion in Florida landscape, it is extremely important to take appropriate measures for ensuring minimum economic damage to our growers due to this pest.