Pest Status, Survey of Natural Enemies, and a Management Plan for Fig Whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), Singhiella simplex (Singh) in the USA

Authors: Ahmed, Muhammad; McKenzie, Cindy; ROHRIG, ERIC - Distributors Processing Inc (DPI); REVYNTHI, ALEXANDRA - University Of Florida; EVANS, GREG - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); MANNION, CATHARINE - University Of Florida; OSBORNE, LANCE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Entomological Society of America, Southwestern and Southeastern Branch
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/26/2022
Publication Date: 3/26/2022
Citation: Ahmed, M.Z., Mckenzie, C.L., Rohrig, E., Revynthi, A.M., Evans, G., Mannion, C., Osborne, L. 2022. Pest Status, Survey of Natural Enemies, and a Management Plan for Fig Whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), Singhiella simplex (Singh) in the USA. Entomological Society of America, Southwestern and Southeastern Branch.

Interpretive Summary: Fig whitefly, is an invasive species that has been causing damage to Ficus hedges and trees for the last decade and a half in the Caribbean, Europe, North and South America. The first report of fig whitefly in the USA was from Florida in 2007, and since then, it has invaded 24 counties in the last 14 years. The establishment of the fig whitefly and its damage has been posing a serious threat to the utility of Ficus hedges. The trends of using Ficus hedges have been decreasing in the last decade because of the fig whitefly. This study provides current pest status, a survey of its natural enemies, and an overview of its management plan. There are six main conclusions of our study. 1) Be proactive and scout for fig whitefly regularly. Some Ficus hedges are part of the permanent Floridian landscape and have been there for decades. It is vital to prevent the infestation or control it at an early stage to save those hedges. 2) Be patient and strategize the management plan. If an infestation arrives or starts building up or causing defoliation, please apply our management plan. It is important to remember that the fig whitefly will not kill the hedge if managed on time. 4) Be preventive in conserving resident natural enemies. Our study found several resident natural enemies of fig whitefly available in the field, and their conservation should be accounted for in the management plan of fig whitefly. 6) Future study is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the dominant natural enemies of fig whitefly.

Technical Abstract: Fig whitefly, Singhiella simplex (Singh), is an invasive species that has been causing damage to Ficus hedges and trees for the last decade and a half in the Caribbean, Europe, North and South America. This study provides its biology, current pest status, description, dispersal potential, geographical distribution, host plants, scouting techniques, species assemblage, a survey of its natural enemies, and an overview of its management plan. Fig whitefly is found in three states in the USA (Arizona, California, and Florida). Its current range is very limited in Arizona and California. However, it is now widely distributed throughout central and South Florida and several natural enemies, both native and introduced, are present in the field. One parasitoid wasp species, Baeoentodon balios Wang, Huang, & Polaszek, and one predatory beetle Delphastus pallidus (LeConte), are the most dominant among its natural enemies in the field. This study will help to effectively manage the fig whitefly.