Journal of Insect Science (2008) 8 (4), 43-44

David J. Schuster, Philip A. Stansly, Phyllis R. Gilreath and Jane E. Polston (2008)
Management of Bemisia, TYLCV, and insecticide resistance in Florida vegetables
Journal of Insect Science 8 (4), 43-44
in P. A. Stansly and C.L. McKenzie, organizers: Fourth International Bemisia Workshop - International Whitefly Genomics Workshop, December 3-8, 2006, Duck Key, Florida, USA
Abstract: Staked tomatoes and other fruiting vegetables destined for the fresh market are grown outdoors primarily in four distinct regions of southern Florida. Greenhouse-grown seedlings are transplanted into raised beds covered with polyethylene mulch in late summer/early fall and again in mid-winter. Thus, crops may be in the field almost year round, with the exception of early to mid summer. The sweetpotato whitefly (Bemisia spp.) biotype B, also known as the silverleaf whitefly, is a key pest of tomatoes and other vegetables grown in southern Florida. Although the whitefly induces an irregular ripening disorder of tomato fruit, most damage results from the transmission of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). Various insecticides in the neonicotinoid class have been relied upon heavily for the past 12 years to manage the whitefly. To ensure the continued viability of this class of insecticides as well as that of other insecticide classes, resistance management recommendations have been prepared. Although insecticide-use practices are an integral part of the management recommendations, it is recognized that they cannot be successful without adherence to integrated pest management practices. Therefore, recommendations include field hygiene and other cultural practices which are considered high priority and which are included as integral parts of the overall strategy for managing whitefly populations, TYLCV incidence, and insecticide resistance. These practices include: establishment of a two month crop-free period in the summer; prompt, efficient and thorough destruction of crops within 5 days of final harvest; use of whitefly and virus-free transplants; separation of new crops from old crops; use of TYLCV-resistant tomato and pepper cultivars; use of determinant cultivars of grape tomatoes; use of UV-reflective plastic soil mulch; applications of effective insecticides prior to pruning, tying, harvest, etc.; removal and destruction of tomato plants with symptoms of TYLCV until the second tie; management of weeds within crops; proper disposal of tomatoes culled from packing houses and avoidance of post-harvest gleaning operations. Insecticide-use practices include: avoidance of neonicotinoid use on transplants in production facilities; use of neonicotinoids in the field only during the first six weeks following transplanting; use of insecticides in classes other than neonicotinoids six weeks after transplanting and on crops not severely impacted by whiteflies; use of neonicotinoids as soil drenches at transplanting for best control; avoidance of soil applications of neonicotinoids through drip irrigation systems; avoidance of split applications of soil drenches of neonicotinoids; adherence to scouting recommendations if neonicotinoids are applied foliarly; use of selective rather than broad-spectrum insecticides; and avoidance of insecticide applications on weeds at field perimeters. Growers are encouraged to participate in region-wide management efforts.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): David J. Schuster, Philip A. Stansly

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Bemisia tabaci biotype MEAM1	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)	U.S.A. (SE)
	Tomato yellow leaf curl virus	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)	U.S.A. (SE)