Date of Award
2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Plant and Soil Science
First Advisor
Margaret Skinner
Abstract
Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a serious pest of poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Koltzsch (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae). It causes damage that reduces aesthetic value and saleability of the plant. Low tolerance for infestations leads to management strategies that rely on repeated applications of chemical insecticides. This has contributed to the development of resistance. New control methods are needed that are effective and safe for the health of humans and the environment.
Biological control with Eretmocerus spp. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) parasitoids can successfully manage B. tabaci on poinsettias. Their use is more expensive than chemical insecticides limiting use by growers. Plant-mediated IPM systems use plants in combination with other suppression tactics to manage pests. These systems improve early pest detection, attract pests and provide habitat, food and shelter for biological control agents. These tactics may improve efficacy and cost of sustainably managing B. tabaci on poinsettias.
Eggplant, Solanum melongena L. (Solanales: Solanaceae) is a host plant for B. tabaci. It can also sustain Eretmocerus spp. when infested with this pest. Eggplant was evaluated as a component in a plant-mediated IPM system with Eretmocerus spp. to manage B. tabaci in poinsettias. The objectives were to (1) determine if B. tabaci adults were attracted to and reproduced on eggplant, (2) assess the ability of Eretmocerus spp. to reproduce on eggplant, and (3) evaluate the distribution of B. tabaci and Eretmocerus spp. on poinsettias surrounding the eggplant.
Eggplants harbored significantly more B. tabaci and Eretmocerus spp. adults and live and parasitized B. tabaci nymphs than poinsettias. Higher numbers of B. tabaci adults and live nymphs were found on poinsettias 2 meters away from the eggplants than on poinsettia adjacent to the eggplants. Greater numbers of Eretmocerus spp. were detected on poinsettias adjacent to eggplants. Eggplant served several functions; (1) an indicator plant for the early detection of B. tabaci adults and monitoring of nymphs over time, (2) a trap plant for B. tabaci by attracting and detaining adults, and (3) a habitat plant for Eretmocerus spp. by providing a site for their reproduction.
Language
English
Number of Pages
91
Recommended Citation
Frank, Cheryl Eileen, "A Plant-Mediated IPM System for Silverleaf Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius in Poinsettias, Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch" (2012). Graduate College Dissertations and Theses. 1999.
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis/1999
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agriculture Commons, Entomology Commons, Horticulture Commons
