The Parasitoid Eretmocerus hayati Is Compatible with Barrier Cropping to Decrease Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci MED) Densities on Cotton in China

Abstract

The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) cryptic species Mediterranean (MED), is a destructive insect pest worldwide. In order to contribute to controlling B. tabaci by non-chemical methods, we examined the possibility of using a combination of trap/barrier crops and a parasitoid natural enemy in cotton. We performed field experiments using cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) as trap crops and maize (Zea mays) as a barrier crop combined with periodic releases of the parasitoid Eretmocerus hayati in Hebei Province, Northern China. All treatments significantly reduced immature whitefly densities. Parasitism rate was significantly higher in cotton plots intercropped with sunflower and with perimeter-planted cantaloupe. Adult whitefly density was negatively related to parasitoid abundance and was significantly lower in cotton plots intercropped with maize than in the control plots. Intercropping was more effective than perimeter-planting at reducing B. tabaci densities and increasing yield. Parasitoid dispersal was not hampered by barrier crops, indicating that the two methods of control are compatible. These results contribute to the development of integrated pest management methods against this important pest.

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

“…The dsRNAs sprinkled on crops or applied using water (to enable plants to uptake through leaves) or soil has a limited life span due to degradation by radiation/microbial cells enzymes, whereas dsRNAs coated onto the layered double hydroxide (LDH) clay nanostructure (BioClay) or carbon nano-tubes of diameter less than 0.1 µm can be complacently reabsorbed into cell membranes [24], stabilize dsRNAs for lengthy continuous delivery, and protect them from proteolytic enzymes. However, such nanomaterials should be recyclable and nontoxic.…”

“…Due to accumulated impact of direct damage and secondary damages through transmission of viruses, whiteflies pose socioeconomic challenge [6,10]. Many studies across the globe have attempted to reduce its impact on sustainable agricultural productivity [24][25][26]. Whitefly management (WFM) strategies can be grouped as traditional [27,28] , chemical [29,30] , herbal [31,32], biological [33,34], biotechnological [35,36], and IPM [37,38].…”

Cold Storage Effects on Fitness of the Whitefly Parasitoids Encarsia sophia and Eretmocerus hayati

“…sophia Girault and Dodd (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and Eretmocerus hayati Zolnerowich and Rose (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), two key parasitoids of the important whitefly pest Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1, also called biotype B) and Mediterranean (MED, also called biotype Q) [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. These two parasitoid wasps reduce B. tabaci densities and are recognized as useful biological control agents against B. tabaci MEAM1 and MED [ 34 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ].…”