Bionomics And Control Of Bemisia Tabaci Biotype B In Wenzhou

The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera:Aleyrodidae) (Biotype B), is an important pest in greenhouse and field worldwide. Damage to crops by the pest is done through direct feeding, transmission of plant viruses, induction of physiological disorders, and honey dew contamination. This pest has caused severe losses of agricultural production in Wenzhou since its invasion into this area in 2003. In the 2006-2007 crop season, an outbreak of tomato virus disease caused by Tomato Leaf Curl Taiwan Virus (ToLCTWV) in 200 ha greenhouses and transmitted by the whitefly occurred in Yueqing, Rui'an, Cangnan, Ouhai, and Longwan gradually, and caused an economic loss of over 10 million Yuan (RMB).As the whitefly had invaded Wenzhou and was causing severe economic losses to the production of tomato production in greenhouses, it was urgent to develop and implement an integrated control system for the management of the whitefly, in order to prevent its outbreaks and avoid or reduce its economic losses to agricultural production.In this study, field observations, field surveys, and laboratory experiments were performed to investigate the bionomics of the whitefly. Results were obtained on dispersal capacity, channels for dispersal, and the correlation between sowing date and virus disease severity. Some new selective pesticides were selected through laboratory and field screening. An integrated control system, which comprised of the components of "cultivation of pest-free seedlings, using physical control as the major tactic, and applying selective insecticides only when necessary" as well as "delaying sowing date during autumn-winter crop season where feasible", was developed and implemented in practice. Implementation of the integrated control system was effective against outbreaks of the whitefly and the ToLCTWV diseases, and has contributed substantially to vegetable production and product safety.