Genetic structure and diversity of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis in a French bean agroecosystem of Kenya

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Journal of Applied Entomology

Publication Date

9-1-2008

Abstract

The sweet potato whitefly Bemisia tabaci (WF) can be controlled by two commercial neem products, NeemAzal-T/S® (1% azadirachtin) for foliar application, and NeemAzal-U (17% azadirachtin) for soil application, alongwith two biorational products of microbial origin, Abamectin (avermectin) and Success® (spinosad). Side effects of these products were tested in a laboratory bioassay against a native aphelinid, Eretmocerus warrae (EW). Eggs and early larval instars of the parasitoid, commonly found outside the host body, were highly susceptible to foliar spray of neem with only 8%, 18% and 55% emergences of adults from treated eggs. larval and pupal stages respectively at recommended dose-rates of 5 ml/l and 1%, 8% and 40% at twice recommend dose-rate (10 ml/l). Soil application with NeemAzal-U marginally affected EW. At highest tested dose-rate of 3.0 g/l, 46%, 64% and 81% emergence was recorded after treatement of plants harbouring WF parasitized by egg, larval and pupal stages of EW respectively. In contrast to neem application, Success® and Abamectin caused high mortality in development stages of the parasitoids. In particular, abamectin was highly toxic to the parasitoids with less than 1% emergence from either of the three development stages if treated with 1-2 ml/l. © 2008 The Authors.

Keywords

Avermectin, Azadirachtin, Bemisia tabaci, Eretmocerus warrae, Spinosad, Thailand

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