Journal of Applied Entomology (2008) 132, 605-613

P. Kumar, M. Whitten, G. Thoeming, C. Borgemeister and H.-M. Poehling (2008)
Effects of bio-pesticides on Eretmocerus warrae (Hym., Aphelinidae), a parasitoid of Bemisia tabaci (Hom., Aleyrodidae)
Journal of Applied Entomology 132 (8), 605-613
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.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Christian Borgemeister, Hans-Michael Poehling

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
health/environmental effects of pesticides
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
resistance to pesticides

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Bemisia tabaci
Eretmocerus warrae (parasitoid)	Bemisia tabaci