Eradicating Bemisia tabaci Q biotype on poinsettia plants in the UK

The sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) continues to be a serious threat to crops worldwide. The UK holds Protected Zone status against this pest and, as a result, B. tabaci entering on plant material is subjected to a policy of eradication. Q biotype (Mediterranean species) is the predominant whitefly now being intercepted entering the UK. With increasing reports of neonicotinoid resistance in this biotype, it is becoming more problematic to control/eradicate. The current study evaluated sequential insecticide applications of a range of chemicals and two entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Lecanicillium muscarium, applied within the first 21 days after potting poinsettia cuttings. All sequential treatment programmes tested eradicated Q biotype from poinsettia plants. The efficacy of chemicals and fungi against various Q biotype life-stages was also evaluated as individual treatments. Against the egg stage, abamectin (Dynamec), acetamiprid (Gazelle), refined petroleum spraying oil (Tri-Tek) and the physically acting product SB-Plant Invigorator all proved excellent. None of the products gave total control of second instar larvae. However, Agri-50E, B. bassiana, Tri-Tek and SB-Plant Invigorator all gave over 71% mortality. For adult control, B. bassiana and the oil based products (Addit, Tri-Tek and Spraying Oil) all produced 100% mortality. The work also demonstrated that B. bassiana offers better control of B. tabaci than L. muscarium. Investigating direct tank-mixing of the fungi with the chemical products proved that Majestic (physically acting product), spiromesifen (Oberon), Savona (physically acting product) and SB-Plant Invigorator significantly reduced germination of B. bassiana spores and so could not be recommended as mixes. Tri-Tek Oil, Spraying Oil, Addit, Dynamec and Gazelle showed best potential to be used as tank-mixes with over 90% B. bassiana spore germination following exposure to the test products for 24 h. A direct tank mix of L. muscarium with Tri-Tek allowed full fungal spore germination. The implications of the work in regards to continued protection of the UK horticultural industry from B. tabaci and overcoming insecticide resistance among biotypes are discussed.

► The UK maintains ‘Protective Zone’ status against Bemisia, therefore all interceptions must be eradicated.
► Bemisia tabaci Q is now the dominant whitefly being intercepted on plant material entering the UK.
► A range of chemical and two fungal products were investigated for their potential to control B. tabaci Q.
► Excellent success was obtained for several of the products against different life stages of the whitefly.
► A set of sequential treatment programmes tested successfully eradicated B. tabaci Q on poinsettia material.