Effectiveness of imidacloprid in combination with a root nitrogen fertilizer applied to tomato seedlings against Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (biotype B) is a worldwide pest of vegetables and field crops. We tested the efficacy of imidacloprid (IM) with a root fertilizer ‘Root Feed (RF)’ (9% N, 7% Ca, 1.5% Mg and 0.1% B) sub-irrigated in the growing medium against the whitefly on tomato. Tomato seedlings (3–4 true leaves) were treated with 0, 3, 6 or 12 mg active ingredient (a.i.) seedling⁻¹ of IM and with RF (0, 0.02, 0.04 or 0.08 ml seedling⁻¹). The efficacy of 12 mg IM seedling⁻¹ was further evaluated in the greenhouse for 60 days. The survival of B. tabaci adults, nymphs, and egg production were negatively affected by the treatments in a dosage-dependent manner. Treatment of 12 mg IM seedling⁻¹ caused >60% adult and nymph mortality 50 days after treatment (DAT). The active ingredient of IM in tomato leaves also increased with the increase of IM dosage. The RF exhibited a limited effect on B. tabaci. However, the mortality of whitefly adults and nymphs treated with RF (0.02 or 0.04 ml seedling⁻¹) positively interacted with IM, and was greater than IM alone. In the greenhouse, 12 mg IM seedling⁻¹ greatly reduced the number of whitefly adults and increased the dry weight of the tomato plants at 30 DAT. In conclusion, application of 12 mg IM seedling⁻¹ on tomato seedlings before transplanting effectively controled B. tabaci for up to 50 days, and the efficacy of IM combined with 0.02 ml RF seedling⁻¹ performed even better. This could be a cost-effective method for managing B. tabaci on tomato and other vegetables.     

Lethal and sublethal effects of buprofezin and imidacloprid on Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), has become a major threat to agriculture worldwide. The development of insecticide resistance in B. tabaci has necessitated the exploration of new management tactics. The toxicity of imidacloprid and buprofezin to various life stages of B. tabaci was determined in the laboratory. Also, the sublethal effects of both insecticides were studied on demographic and biological parameters of B. tabaci. Both insecticides were very toxic against first stage larvae of the pest with LC₅₀ values of 1.0 and 19.3 ppm for buprofezin and imidacloprid, respectively. Toxicities decreased between successive stages (LC₅₀ values ranging from 1.0 to 2854.0 ppm). The LC₅₀ values of imidacloprid for adult males, females and eggs were 11.8, 71.6 and 151.0 ppm, respectively. Buprofezin had no significant effect on adults and eggs. The sublethal concentration of imidacloprid had no significant effect on demographic and biological parameters of B. tabaci but the maximal value for the mean generation time (T) (18.8 day) was observed in imidacloprid treatment. Buprofezin significantly decreased stable population and biological parameters of B. tabaci except it did not decrease the rate of population increase or the sex ratio of offspring.     

Effect of Cardinium Infection on the Probing Behavior of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) MED

Facultative endosymbionts can affect the growth, physiology, and behavior of their arthropod hosts. There are several endosymbionts in the invasive whitefly Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean (MED, Q biotype) that influence host fitness by altering stylet probing behavior. We investigated the probing behavior of B. tabaci MED infected with the facultative endosymbiont Candidatus Cardinium hertigii (Cardinium (Sphingobacteriales: Flexibacteraceae)). We generated genetically similar Cardinium-infected (C^*+) and uninfected (C^-) clonal sublines and analyzed the probing behavior of newly emerged adult on cotton (Malvales: Malvaceae), Gossypium hirsutum L., using electropenetrography (EPG). The C^- subline demonstrated a longer duration of E2 (2.81-fold) and more events of E2 (2.22-fold) than the C^*+ subline, indicating a greater level of sustained ingestion of plant phloem. These findings provide insight into the fitness costs (fitness of a particular genotype is lower than the average fitness of the population) of the Cardinium-infected B. tabaci.     

Impacts of Cucurbit Chlorotic Yellows Virus (CCYV) on Biological Characteristics of Its Vector Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) MED Species

Plant viruses can change the phenotypes and defense pathways of the host plants and the performance of their vectors to facilitate their transmission. Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV) (Crinivirus), a newly reported virus occurring on cucurbit plants and many other plant species, is transmitted specifically by Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 (B biotype) and MED (Q biotype) cryptic species in a semipersistent manner. This study evaluated the impacts of CCYV on B. tabaci to better understand the plant-virus-vector interactions. By using CCYV-B. tabaci MED-cucumber as the model, we investigated whether or how a semipersistent plant virus impacts the biology of its whitefly vector. CCYV mRNAs were detectable in nymphs from first to fourth instars and adults of B. tabaci with different titers. Nymph instar durations and adult longevity of female whiteflies greatly extended on CCYV-infected plants, but nymph instar durations and adult longevity of male whiteflies were not significantly influenced. In addition, the body length and oviposition increased in adults feeding on CCYV-infected plants, but the hatching rates of eggs and survival rates of different stages were not affected. Most interestingly, the sex ratio (male:female) significantly reduced to 0.5:1 in whitefly populations on CCYV-infected plants, while the ratio remained about 1:1 on healthy plants. These results indicated that CCYV can significantly impact the biological characteristics of its vector B. tabaci. It is speculated that CCYV and B. tabaci have established a typical mutualist relationship mediated by host plants.     

Regional susceptibilities to 12 insecticides of melon and cotton aphid,Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and a point mutation associated with imidacloprid resistance

The melon and cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera; Aphididae) is one of the most serious pests worldwide. We surveyed insecticide susceptibility in A. gossypii field populations to 12 insecticides (6 neonicotinoids, 3 pyrethroids and 3 others) to examine resistance ratios. The levels of insecticide resistance were extremely high, especially to neonicotinoids, such as acetamiprid, clothianidin, thiacloprid and imidacloprid. To identify the neonicotinoid resistance mechanisms, we used an imidacloprid-resistant (IMI-R) strain as a model strain. IMI-R showed an extremely high resistance ratio and also cross-resistance to all the test neonicotinoids. However, there was little or no cross-resistance to the other insecticides, including sulfoxaflor. Synergist tests and enzyme activity assays suggested the absence of resistance mechanisms based on enhanced detoxification enzymes, such as cytochrome P450, esterase and glutathione S-transferase. One point mutation was found in the beta1 subunit loop D region of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) of the IMI-R strain. This R81T point mutation was also found in field populations collected from 5 regions. Therefore, the R81T point mutation was identified as an important mechanism of imidacloprid resistance in A. gossypii.     

Use of UV reflective mulch to delay the colonization and reduce the severity of Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) infestations in cucurbits

Effectiveness of UV reflective plastic mulch for the management of silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia argentifolii Bellows and Perring) was evaluated in selected cucurbits. The reflective mulch repelled silverleaf whitefly adults in pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo L.). Reduced colonization by B. argentifolii adults resulted in reduced populations of nymphs and a delay and reduction in the incidence of silverleaf in pumpkin and zucchini squash. Reflective mulch was as effective in reducing nymphal B. argentifolii populations as was a pre-plant soil application of imidacloprid. Zucchini squash, pumpkin and cucumber yields were significantly higher in plants grown over reflective mulch than in those grown over unmulched soil. Zucchini squash yields from plants grown over reflective mulch also were higher than from plants grown in plots receiving a pre-plant application of imidacloprid. This study confirmed that UV reflective plastic mulch can be used to manage B. argentifolii and the mulches give protection equal to that provided by imidacloprid.     

CAP Analysis of the Distribution of the Introduced Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Species Complex in Xinjiang,China and the Southerly Expansion of the Mediterranean Species

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) cryptic complex has invaded Xinjiang, China, since 1998. The distribution of Mediterranean (MED) and Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) B. tabaci substrains has been gradually identified due to the development of molecular technology. In this study, the distribution of MED and MEAM1 in Xinjiang was determined by cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPs). Results showed that MED dominated in northern Xinjiang (84%), whereas MEAM1 was dominant in southern Xinjiang (72%). Five pairs of simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers were used to analyze the genetic diversity of B. tabaci among 36 geographic populations. The genetic diversity of MED and MEAM1was low and varied little among populations in Xinjiang (0.09 ± 0.14 and 0.09 ± 0.13, respectively). Based on ∆K statistic, 13 populations of MEAM1 could be classified into two subgroups at K = 2, whereas the 23 populations of MED could be classified into four subgroups at K = 4. However, Mantel t-test demonstrated no correlation between geographical and genetic distances among B. tabaci complex (R = 0.42, P = 1.00). Neighbor-joining and principal coordinate analysis showed that geographical isolation and interspecific differences were the main causes of the genetic variation. Gene flow predicted that MEAM1 was most likely introduced from Urumqi to the southern Xinjiang. Meanwhile, a large proportion of MED in Kashi region came from Changji and Yining. To block ongoing dispersal, strict detection and flower quarantine regulations need to be enforced.     

Effect of cyantraniliprole on feeding behavior and virus transmission of Frankliniella fusca and Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on Capsicum annuum

The anthranilic diamide insecticide cyantraniliprole was previously shown to reduce transmission of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) to pepper, Capsicum annuum, by Frankliniella fusca but not Frankliniella occidentalis. This study examines the effects of cyantraniliprole and imidacloprid on thrips feeding using electrical penetration graphing (EPG), and on TSWV transmission in field cage studies. Some antifeedant responses were observed in the EPG studies when thrips fed on cyantraniliprole- and imidacloprid-treated plants; however, these responses were variable between species and among the 2, 6, and 10 day post-treatment time intervals during which feeding behavior was observed. Cyantraniliprole significantly reduced the probability of TSWV infection when spread by F. fusca in field-grown pepper when viruliferous thrips were released 7 days but not when released at 14 days after the insecticide treatment in one of 2 field trials. In the second trial cyantraniliprole significantly reduced the probability of infection when F. fusca were released 14 days but not 7 days after treatment. In both years, imidacloprid prevented or significantly reduced transmission of TSWV by F. fusca in field-grown pepper when viruliferous thrips were released 7 days and 14 after treatment. In one of two years, cyantraniliprole significantly reduced the incidence of TSWV in field-grown pepper that was spread by F. occidentalis when viruliferous thrips were released 7 days after the insecticide treatment, but not 14 days after the treatment. Imidacloprid did not reduce the incidence of TSWV in field-grown pepper when viruliferous F. occidentalis were released. Although these studies demonstrate that probing behavior of these thrips species is altered on cyantraniliprole-treated pepper plants, results of field cage studies did not consistently show a reduction in incidence of TSWV-infected plants.     

The effect of three rates of cyantraniliprole on the transmission of tomato spotted wilt virus by Frankliniella occidentalis and Frankliniella fusca (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) to Capsicum annuum

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is a thrips-transmitted virus that causes major losses in many crops worldwide. Management of TSWV is complex, requiring multiple preventive measures. Currently, there are few chemical options that control thrips populations before they feed upon and transmit TSWV to crop plants. Cyantraniliprole (Cyazypyr™) is an anthranilic diamide insecticide currently under development that exhibits anti-feedant properties. Transmission of TSWV by Frankliniella fusca (Hinds) to Capsicum annuum L. seedlings was reduced in plants treated with Cyazypyr™ applied to the soil at the rates of 1.45, 2.90 and 4.41 mg ai/plant. Mortality of F. fusca at 3 days post treatment did not differ significantly on excised foliage of Cyazypyr™ treated and control plants, but feeding injury was significantly less on treated foliage. Transmission of TSWV by Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) was not reduced in plants treated with 4.41 mg ai/plant.     

Cross-resistance, inheritance and stability of resistance to acetamiprid in cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Genn (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The cotton whitefly Bemisia tabaci, (Genn.) is an important pest of field crops, vegetables and ornamentals worldwide. Neonicotinoids are considered an important group of insecticides being used against B. tabaci for several years. B. tabaci has developed resistance to some of the compounds of the group. This study was designed to investigate if the selection of B. tabaci with acetamiprid would give a broad-spectrum of cross-resistance and to genetically classify the resistance. At G₁ a low level of resistance to acetamiprid, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, thiacloprid and nitenpyram was observed with resistance ratios of 3-fold, 8-, 9-, 6- and 5-fold, respectively, compared with a laboratory susceptible population. After selection for eight generations with acetamiprid, resistance to acetamiprid increased to 118-fold compared with the laboratory susceptible population. Selection also increased resistance to imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, thiacloprid, nitenpyram, endosulfan and bifenthrin but no change in susceptibility to fipronil was observed. Furthermore resistance in a field population was stable in the absence of acetamiprid selection pressure. Genetic crosses between resistant and susceptible populations indicated autosomal and incompletely recessive resistance. Further genetic analysis suggested that resistance could be controlled by a single factor. The high level of cross-resistance and stability of incomplete resistance in the field population is of some concern. However, lack of cross-resistance between acetamiprid and fipronil or unstable resistance in the resistant population could provide options to use alternative products which could reduce acetamiprid selection pressure.     

Evaluation of a modified sticky card to attract Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and a behavioural study on their visual response

Sticky cards with a yellow circle in black background originally developed to attract anthophilous thrips were also found to attract whiteflies. The potential of the new sticky cards for capture of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) was evaluated in oriental melon greenhouses in comparison with ordinary rectangular yellow sticky cards. Two types of the new sticky card (24W × 39L cm) were designed to contain either two large yellow circles (18D cm) or two small yellow circles (13D cm) in a black background on both sides. In each greenhouse, 18 sticky cards of each type were installed. The cards with small circles captured 1.8 times more B. tabaci per unit area than the rectangular yellow sticky cards. In the examination of on-site flight activity of B. tabaci, the cards with large circles attracted 70% of the B. tabaci that took off from the plant canopy. The card with small yellow circles captured 49% and the rectangular yellow sticky card captured 32%. In laboratory behavioural studies, sticky cards with different backgrounds and shapes were attached inside acrylic cages and B. tabaci on tomato leaves were released. Yellow sticky cards with a black background were 2.1 times more attractive than sticky cards with a green background, and triangular-shaped yellow sticky cards with a black background attracted 1.5 times more B. tabaci than those with squares. In conclusion, sticky cards with yellow circles in a black background attracted more B. tabaci per unit area than ordinary rectangular yellow sticky card, and thus could be an improvement for monitoring or managing B. tabaci.