Use of flower model trap to reduce the infestation of greenhouse whitefly on tomato

Flower model trap (FMT) made from artificial yellow chrysanthemum flower coated with sticky material was originally developed to attract anthophilous Frankliniella thrips species. During evaluation of the FMT in a strawberry greenhouse, it was also found to attract higher number of greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), compared to the conventional yellow sticky trap. The color cue exhibited by the petals and/or geometrical pattern of the flower models might have tempted the whitefly to land on them. Therefore, we assessed the potential of the FMT as a novel pest management tactic for T. vaporariorum. In laboratory comparison test in an acryl cage, the FMT captured adult whiteflies 1.8 times more than did the yellow sticky trap. Installation of 80 FMTs in a 500 m2 commercial tomato greenhouse significantly reduced the adult population of T. vaporariorum. Sooty mold infestation was also reduced by 85% on the greenhouse fruits. Similarly less sooty mold infestation was found on the harvested tomato fruits from the trap-equipped greenhouse. Although no significant reduction in the nymphal population of T. vaporariorum was observed, the FMT employed with timely installation and replacement could be another useful greenhouse tomato pest management tactic for T. vaporariorum.