Bio-ecology and management of spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell through insecticides : A review

Abstract

Spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell is the most devastating pest of many vegetables, fruits and ornamental trees with a characteristic spiraling pattern of oviposition on the underside of leaves. Heavy colonization of whitefly may cause a serious indirect damage to the crop due to honeydew excretion on the leaves or on fruit surfaces which encourages growth of the sooty mould fungus and in turn affects the yield both quantitatively and qualitatively. Whiteflies develop rapidly in warm weather, and populations can build up quickly in situations where natural enemies are destroyed and weather is favourable. Thus, whiteflies are difficult to manage once their populations have reached high levels. Further, repeated applications of insecticides can lead to development of resistance. Thus, for its sustainable management, the spray interventions should be taken at low levels of whitefly population. In this paper, a brief account of its hosts, biology and damage is dealt along with its management through insecticides. Among the different insecticides tested against spiraling whitefly, the least LC50 was recorded by flubendiamide 480 SC (34.55 ppm) and emamectin benzoate 5 SG (39.14 ppm) against eggs, by spinosad 45 SC with 39.78 and 106.62 ppm against nymphs and adults, respectively.