Journal of Entomological Science (2005) 40, 74-79

Tong-Xian Liu and Philip A. Stansly (2005)
Timing and release rates for control of Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) by Nephaspis oculatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) under confined conditions
Journal of Entomological Science 40 (1), 74-79
Abstract: The potential of a lady beetle, Nephaspis oculatus (Blatchley), to serve as a biological control agent of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) Biotype 'B' (= B. argentifolii Bellows and Perring), was evaluated on hibiscus under confined conditions, in large cages (60 x 60 x 60 cm) and on sweetpotato leaves in small clear cup cages (0.9 L). Nephaspis oculatus suppressed B. tabaci populations and provided marketable hibiscus plants when released 1 d after whitefly introduction in large cages at ratios of 1:4 and 1:20 beetle: whitefly. When beetles were released 7 d after the whitefly infestation, significant pest reduction and marketable plants were obtained with the 1:4 beetle: whitefly ratio but not the 1:20 ratio. In clear cup cages on sweet potato leaves, significant suppression was obtained at beetle:whitefly ratios of 1:6.7, 1:10 and 1:20 when N. oculatus was released 1 d after the whitefly infestation. These results help define release parameters for successful use of N. oculatus as a biological control agent of whiteflies under confined conditions.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Tong Xian Liu, Philip A. Stansly

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
application technology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Bemisia tabaci
Nephaspis oculatus (predator)	Bemisia tabaci		U.S.A. (SE)