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Research Project: Exotic Whitefly and Subtropical Invasive Pests of Vegetables and Ornamental Plants

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Title: Whitefly management using banker plant systems

Author
item Ahmed, Muhammad
item McKenzie, Cindy
item OSBORNE, LANCE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Growertalks
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2023
Publication Date: 5/1/2023
Citation: Ahmed, M.Z., Mckenzie, C.L., Osborne, L. 2023. Whitefly management using banker plant systems. Extension Publications. https://www.growertalks.com/Article/?srch=1&articleID=26267&.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Whitefly natural enemies, such as parasitic wasps and predatory beetles, have been considered relatively promising for biological control. Establishing natural enemies has been the most challenging part of implementing successful biological control programs. The papaya banker plant system uses papaya to rear the alternate host, the papaya whitefly (Trialeurodes variabilis), which is a host specific to papaya, to deliver natural enemies. Natural enemies used in this system include parasitic wasps (Encarsia sophia) and predatory beetles (Delphastus catalinae, D. pallidus) to control the crop pest, primarily B. tabaci in greenhouse vegetables and ornamental crops. This is the only whitefly banker plant system that uses an alternate host that is not the pest targeted for control and has the potential to introduce multiple natural enemies simultaneously. The system is simple. The adult natural enemies feed on the papaya whitefly, which is only on the papaya plant (a banker plant in this system). They establish a resident population on the papaya banker plant and produce lots of eggs which eventually hatch and develop through their life cycles. It holds great potential as a non-chemical alternative by supporting self-sustaining colonies of natural enemies for the management of B. tabaci in Florida. We believe this system will help growers establish a highly effective complex of natural enemies in their crops. Employing such strategies will reduce insecticide applications and the associated risk of insecticide resistance development in B. tabaci biotypes.