Compatibility of the Predatory Beetle, Delphastus catalinae, with an Entomopathogenic Fungus, Cordyceps fumosorosea, for Biocontrol of Invasive Pepper Whitefly, Aleurothrixus trachoides, in Florida

Abstract

Aleurothrixus (formerly known as Aleurotrachelus) trachoides Back (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), commonly known as pepper or solanum whitefly, is a new emerging whitefly pest of several horticultural crops in the United States. During the preliminary survey for pepper whitefly infestation in Florida, a whitefly-specific predatory beetle Delphastus catalinae Horn (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) was observed associated with this pest in the natural ecosystem. The current study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of this naturally occurring predator, D. catalinae, and an entomopathogenic fungus, Cordyceps (formerly known as Isaria) fumosorosea (Cfr) (Wize) (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae), alone or in combination, under controlled laboratory conditions. Whitefly mortality for Cfr (88%), beetle (100%) and Cfr + beetle (100%) treatments were similar and significantly higher compared to control. In the combination treatment, Cfr did not impact D. catalinae longevity and daily food intake, indicating a neutral interaction between the two treatments. Results showed that both of these natural biological control agents could potentially offer an effective alternative in the battle against invasive whiteflies such as pepper whitefly in U.S. horticulture production, either as a stand-alone strategy or in an integrated approach. Although these findings are promising, compatibility of the two treatments needs to be evaluated further under greenhouse and semi-field conditions before recommending to commercial growers.

Evaluation of Biopesticides for Management of Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Florida

“…Our results indicated a neutral effect when combining these insecticides under the climatic conditions of our study. Previous studies that evaluated the compatibility between B. bassiana or C. javanica with mineral oils reported neutral, antagonistic or synergistic effects among these mixtures, which are likely attributed to different formulations of the non-microbial insecticide [65][66][67]. Overall, our findings suggest potential for microbial biopesticides in IPM strategies.…”

Evaluation of Biopesticides for Management of Bemisia tabaci Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Florida

“…Our results indicated a neutral effect when combining these insecticides under the climatic conditions of our study. Previous studies that evaluated the compatibility between B. bassiana and C. javanica with mineral oils reported neutral, antagonistic, or synergistic effects among these mixtures, which are likely to be attributed to different formulations of the non-microbial insecticide [ 65 , 66 , 67 ]. Overall, our findings suggest potential for microbial biopesticides in IPM strategies.…”

Aleurotrachelus trachoides Back’s (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) preference on different host plants

“…Whiteflies widely spread in the low-land until middle-land [6]. The whitefly, Aleurotrachelus trachoides/Aleurothrixus trachoides Back (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), caused damage in some areas of Florida [7]. The whitefly is a Neotropical pest that has spread to India [8], Brazil [9], Tanzania [10], and Indonesia such as Jakarta, Bogor, West Sumatra [11], and Southeast Sulawesi.…”