Fourth International Bemisia Workshop International Whitefly Genomics Workshop
Managing Bemisia on Organically Grown Herbs
1 Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, IFAS, University of Florida, Apopka, FL, USA. Correspondence: lsosborn@ufl.edu
2 Office of the Dean for Research, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
3 North Florida Research and Education Center, IFAS, University of Florida, Live Oak, FL, USA
4 North Florida Research and Education Center, IFAS, University of Florida, Quincy, FL, USA
Bemisia tabaci (Q and B-biotypes) is a limiting factor in the production of organically grown spearmint. Very few pesticides are registered for use on this crop in greenhouses and those that we have tested have caused significant phytotoxicity or, at safe rates, did not provide acceptable levels of control. Biological control has also been evaluated. During 2005, Eretmocerus eremicus was eliminated as a potential candidate because of economics, poor establishment and efficacy. Eretmocerus mundus was selected for use in trials during December 2005. Three shipments were obtained for use at three Florida study sites (Apopka, Live Oak and Quincy). Only one shipment contained sufficient parasitoids for the studies. In the other two shipments, less than 25% of the parasitoids emerged. Current studies are focused on further evaluations of E. mundus, Amblyseius swirskii and Encarsia sophia. We are also looking at various pesticides that could be integrated with these natural enemies.
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