Can Generalist Predators Control Bemisia tabaci?

Abstract

The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, has developed resistance to many insecticides, renewing interest in the biological control of this global pest. Generalist predators might contribute to whitefly suppression if they commonly occur in infested fields and generally complement rather than interfere with specialized natural enemies. Here, we review literature from the last 20 years, across US cropping systems, which considers the impacts of generalist predators on B. tabaci. Laboratory feeding trials and molecular gut content analysis suggest that at least 30 different generalist predator species willingly and/or regularly feed on these whiteflies. Nine of these predators appear to be particularly impactful, and a higher abundance of a few of these predator species has been shown to correlate with greater B. tabaci predation in the field. Predator species often occupy complementary feeding niches, which would be expected to strengthen biocontrol, although intraguild predation is also common and might be disruptive. Overall, our review suggests that a bio-diverse community of generalist predators commonly attacks B. tabaci, with the potential to exert substantial control in the field. The key challenge will be to develop reduced-spray plans so that generalist predators, and other more specialized natural enemies, are abundant enough that their biocontrol potential is realized.

Can the introduction of companion plants increase biological control services of key pests in organic squash?

“…Because A. swirskii is a generalist predatory mite species it has the additional capacity to feed on pollen from various plants species (e.g., pepper, cattail, and others), increasing the chance of establishment at early stages of the crop when pests are absent but flowering plants are present (Calvo et al, 2015; Lopez et al, 2017). Despite its wide use in vegetable crops, most studies investigating the performance of A. swirskii have been conducted in greenhouse‐grown vegetables (Stansly et al, 2018; Kheirodin et al, 2020) and very few have evaluated its performance and establishment in squash crops (Calvo et al, 2015).…”

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) Management (WFM) Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture: A Review

“…There are about 150 species of natural enemies of whiteflies, and only a handful have been extensively investigated [220,221,225]. Coccinellid beetles, lacewings, and phytoseiid mites' prey on whiteflies [223].…”

Improving Whitefly Management

“…One of the most promoted biological controls for whiteflies is the use of generalist predators either through augmentation or conservation of indigenous populations. Kheirodin et al conducted a worldwide review of the use of predators to control Bemisia tabaci , making the strong argument that biological control needs to be one of the first tactics considered when developing an IPM program for this pest [ 14 ].…”