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Title: BEMISIA SPP. (HOMOPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE) IN THE UNITED STATES HISTORY, PEST STATUS, AND MANAGEMENT

Author
item HENNEBERRY, THOMAS
item TOSCANO, NICK - UNIV OF CA, RIVERSIDE, CA
item CASTLE, STEVE - USDA-ARS, WCRL, PHOENIX

Submitted to: Recent Research Developments in Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Sweetpotato whitefly remains a serious pest in cotton, vegetable and ornamentals in the southwestern US. In this review, we summarize its history in the US and factors affecting infestations. We also described effective SPW management accomplished within the framework of (1) selection of non-SPW preferred cultivars, (2) spatial and temporal considerations in sequential crop systems, (3) intensive sampling and monitoring of whitefly populations, (4) chemical control focused on natural enemy conservation, established action thresholds, alternating chemistry, new chemistry, and resistance monitoring, (5) optimum crop yield goals allowing for early harvests and destruction of crop residues, and (6) active education, extension outreach to provide timely communications of new developments, SPW population dynamics, and other pertinent information to growers. These are not all inclusive or applicable for all areas or for all crops but are general guidelines that provide the agricultural community options for consideration in SPW management.

Technical Abstract: Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) the sweetpotato whitefly (SPW) is, historically, a tropical/aubtropical insect. Its center of origin has been suggested as the Indian subcontinent. Over the last 15 to 20 years, SPW has emerged from relatively unimportant pest staus to a primary pest in many areas of the world, including warm-temperate climate zones. We reviewed the reports of SPW occurrence in the United States, its history as an economic pest, suggested factors affecting SPW pest status, and similarities and differences in comparison to the newly described B. argentifolii Bellows and Perring (= SPW strain B). Some explanations provided for the increasing whitefly pest status elsewhere in the world are also reviewed in relation to similar occurrences and differences in the US. Finally, we briefly summarized nationally oriented research and action efforts to develop SPW control technology and some of their applications in SPW management.