Use of Honeydew Production to Determine Reduction in Feeding by <I>Bemisia tabaci</I> (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Adults When Exposed to Cyantraniliprole and Imidacloprid Treatments

Abstract

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) whitefly populations produce economically important damage to crops by their direct feeding and also by transmitting plant viruses. Although there are several methods to reduce B. tabaci damage, most growers rely on the use of insecticides to decrease populations of this pest. Insecticides that reduce feeding of whitefly adults may also reduce the transmission of viruses that are harmful to crop plants. However, demonstrating the feeding reduction has proved challenging. In this study, water-sensitive paper was used to determine whitefly adult feeding, indirectly through honeydew production, when insects were placed on insecticide-treated and untreated plants. Plant treatments with two formulations of cyantraniliprole (Cyazypyr) showed a reduction in the amount of honeydew produced by B. tabaci adults equivalent to imidacloprid. The reduction in the amount of honeydew produced indicates reduced insect feeding and the possibility for a reduction in virus transmission. Plant treatments with two formulations of cyantraniliprole also resulted in higher mortality than imidacloprid.

Cyantraniliprole: a valuable tool forFrankliniella occidentalis(Pergande) management

“…Electrical penetration graphing (EPG) studies revealed reductions in probing behaviour on cyantraniliprole‐treated plants by F. occidentalis and F. fusca . Feeding reduction by cyantraniliprole has also been reported for Bemisa tabaci and D. citri , measured indirectly by the adult honeydew excretions . Similarly, B. tabaci nymphs exhibited a significant decrease in feeding on plants treated with cyantraniliprole .…”

“…25 Feeding reduction by cyantraniliprole has also been reported for Bemisa tabaci and D. citri, measured indirectly by the adult honeydew excretions. 24,26 Similarly, B. tabaci nymphs exhibited a significant decrease in feeding on plants treated with cyantraniliprole. 27 wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/ps More importantly, this reduction in feeding activity has been associated with a decrease in virus transmission.…”

Cross‐resistance and baseline susceptibility of Mediterranean strains of Bemisia tabaci to cyantraniliprole

“…High efficacy against B. tabaci and other pests has already been described both in laboratory and in field trials . Cyantraniliprole has a significant effect on reducing insect feeding, and has been shown to reduce virus transmission …”

Effects of foliar and systemic insecticides on whitefly transmission and incidence ofCucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus

“…For example, imidacloprid has been shown to have anti‐feedant effects on B. tabaci that contribute to a reduction of various vectored plant viruses . Similarly, there is much evidence in support of the disruptive effect that cyantraniliprole has on feeding by various insect vectors . In the case of imidacloprid, the possibility exists that resistance to both lethal and sublethal effects has developed after 22 years of intensive use in vegetable crops and melons of the Southwest.…”