Compatibility of an entomopathogenic fungus with a predator and a parasitoid in the biological control of greenhouse whitefly

Abstract

An ongoing debate in biological control consists of whether interference between biological agents can disrupt pest control. This study investigated the outcome of interactions between the entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana with the whitefly predator Dicyphus hesperus and the parasitoid Encarsia formosa, as well as their effect on the control of the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum on greenhouse tomato crops. Our objective was to determine whether the generalist B. bassiana would disrupt biological control by interfering with D. hesperus or E. formosa. In experimental greenhouses, whitefly, parasitoid and predator populations were established, and over 27 days, tomato plants were sprayed with three applications of the B. bassiana based product BotaniGard® (5.13×103 conidia/mm2) or water (control). Populations of greenhouse whitefly and biological control organisms were regularly monitored in control and B. bassiana-treated compartments. Overall, 10.6% of all whiteflies in treated compartments were infected, and 0.98% were both infected and parasitized. There were 31.7 and 22.3% fewer immature and adult whiteflies, respectively, on B. bassiana-treated plants relative to controls. Parasitism by E. formosa and predation by D. hesperus occurred at rates of 7.5 and 2.5%, respectively, in B. bassiana-treated compartments, and 5 and 6%, respectively in control compartments. Our study suggests that applications of B. bassiana for short-term biological control of greenhouse whiteflies are compatible with the concurrent use of E. formosa and D. hesperus on greenhouse tomato crops.