Acylsugars of the Wild Tomato [Lycopersicon pennellii (Corr.) D'Arcy] Alters Settling and Reduces Oviposition of Bemisia argentifolii (Silverleaf Whitefly)

Abstract

<jats:p>Acylsugars, the primary components of the exudate secreted by type IV trichomes of <jats:italic>Lycopersicon pennellii</jats:italic> (Corr.) D'Arcy LA716, mediate the resistance of this accession to silverleaf whitefly, <jats:italic>Bemisia argentifolii</jats:italic> Bellows &amp; Perring, n. sp. Reduction in the settling of the adult silverleaf whiteflies correlates with the concomitant increase in applied acylsugars. Oviposition of <jats:italic>B. argentifolii</jats:italic> is also affected by acylsugars, resulting in a reduction in the number of eggs and nymphs found; however, acylsugars do not affect hatching of nymphs. The threshold amount of acylsugars required for deterring settling and oviposition is under the amount of acylsugars (50 to 70 μg·cm<jats:sup>–1</jats:sup>) required for control of other insects.</jats:p>